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Two dead,one injured in tractor-bike collision
ONGOLE: Two bike riders were killed and one other severely injured in a tragic road accident near Kondepi town on Tuesday night. The accident occurred when their bike collided with a tractor laden with firewood logs. The victims, identified as Indla Chiranjeevi (36) and Pamuru Durga Rao (27), died on the spot. The third rider, Chelamcharla Aveen (21), is undergoing treatment at Ongole Government General Hospital (GGH-RIMS). Kondepi Circle Inspector Soma Sekhar, along with Sub-Inspector Prem Kumar and their team, rushed to the scene and shifted the injured to the hospital. The incident took place near the JL Cold Storage area at around 9.45 pm. The trio had been returning from a visit to the Goddess Poleramma temple in Kamepalli when the collision occurred. Police reports indicate that the victims were under the influence of alcohol and were riding without helmets while travelling in a triple-riding manner.
SCCL turns reclaimed mine into eco-park
Kothagudem : Under a major green initiative, the state-owned Singareni Collieries Company Ltd (SCCL) has transformed its underground mining site, which was closed some time back, into a tourism project. More such projects are on the way, an official said. The park has come up at the Gautham khani opencast mine at Gauthampur in Chunchupalli mandal at Rs 4.6 crore and will soon be opened for the public. The park, spread over 20 hectares at the backfill area of Gowtham project, will have a butterfly park, a biodiversity park, a view point and two ponds with boating facility. SCCLs deputy general manager (forestry) Harinarayana said that the miner had decided to develop 11 eco-tourism parks in its reclaimed sites in six districts within two years. The sites are yet to be identified, he added. The butterfly park features a range of species and is spread over 4,000 square metres of lawns with 5,000 flower and horticulture plants besides palm trees. The host plants include Ceiba pentandra (kapok), Aegle marmelos (Maredu), Lime, Polyalthia (Ashoka), Feronia Limonia (wood apple), Calotropis (Jilledu), and others. The nectar plants include Lantana, Jatropha, Hibiscus, Pentas, Cannas, Ixora among others. In addition to this, a cycling track has been developed in the eco-park. A tower set up in the park facilitates visitors to view mining operations in Venkatesh khani mega opencast mine. The eco-park is used for recreation of SCCL workers and public. Ponna Somaiah, a former employee of SCCL, said that miners prefer to spend their leisure time in a pleasant and healthy atmosphere due to the nature of their jobs. In another environmental measure, the SCCL is using discharge water at mines at Kothagudem for industrial and domestic purposes such as dust suppression, stowing, washing of machinery, fire fighting and plantation. After meeting the industrial requirement, part of the excess discharge water is supplied to SCCL colonies and surrounding villagers for drinking purposes after treatment. The remaining water is channeled through settling tanks before discharging it into nearby agriculture tanks for community use. About 100 surrounding villages benefit from mine water.
BJP MLA S.T. Somashekar attends Mahatma Gandhi statue event in Belagavi
I am originally a Congressman, he says
Somayampalayam villagers oppose merger with Coimbatore corporation
Somayampalayam residents oppose proposed merger with Coimbatore Corporation
BJP senior leader Kirit Somaiya alleged that Bangladeshi nationals without valid documents are living in a Thane labour camp, from where an accused in a burglary and attack on actor Saif Ali Khan on January 16 was detained. Somaiya requested the Thane police commissioner to conduct a combing operation at the camp.
Stop illegal sand mining in Kosasthalaiyar, orders Madras HC
CHENNAI: The Madras High Court has directed the state government to initiate immediate action to prevent illegal sand mining from government and patta land on the Kosasthalaiyar river basin in Tiruvallur district. A division bench comprising Justices SM Subramaniam and V Lakshminarayanan issued the direction on Friday while disposing of a petition filed by the Kosasthalai Aaru Matrum Kanimavala Pathukappu Sangam. We direct the respondents to initiate immediate action to prevent illegal mining of sand, soil, and savudu from the government poramboke land in the Kosasthalai river basin, as well as the excavation of sand and savudu from the patta land in excess of permissible limits in Meyyur, Vembedu, Rajapalayam, Somadevanpattu, and Eraiyur villages of Uthukottai taluk and Thiruvallur taluk respectively, the bench said in its order. The court asked the petitioner to file an appropriate petition, including contempt of court, to prevent illegal mining in the event of a violation of the terms and conditions of the licence or any illegal sand mining found or permitted by any government authority. The petitioner alleged that large-scale illegal mining is being conducted on government land in the river basin, and mining is exceeding the permissible limits in these villages. The plea added that such illegal activity is being carried out with the active collusion of government officials, as no action has been taken to prevent illegal mining. However, Additional Advocate General M Suresh Kumar submitted that all the necessary actions had been initiated to prevent illegal mining and that only the permitted quantity was allowed to be removed as per the licence conditions. A special task force had been constituted at the district level to prevent illegal mining, he added.
'Emergency' movie review: This Indira Gandhi biopic is a drab history lesson
After a long tussle with the Censor Board, Kangana Ranauts Indira Gandhi biopic Emergency finally sees the light of day. Coming from a BJP MP, it is a sincere yet inept attempt to humanise the former prime minister. The flaws of the film arent ideological but technical. As the director and lead actor, Kangana tries to unfold the complexities of a towering figure in Indian political history, but what she lacks are skill and dexterity. There is vision but not the lens to capture it. The film is a mishmash of ideas and events strung together, resulting in a disjointed narrative. It proceeds linearly, going over the life of Mrs Gandhi as if marking bullet points, never stopping to ponder. Thankfully, Emergency isnt trying to rewrite history, but it also isnt anything more than a retread of history. We meet Indira Gandhi as a child playing in the gardens of her family home, Anand Bhawan. A rose stem pricks her finger and a drop of blood forms. It seems like a smart idea on paper. This foreshadows how Indira will eventually be hurt by her father, the countrys first prime minister Jawaharlal Nehru. A rose always adorned his breast pocket. But Kangana, as a director, overdoes it as the young Indu sees her reflection in the blood drop. We are told about but not amply shown Mrs Gandhis tumultuous childhood. There is a brief scene of her mother being kept away because she had tuberculosis. Mrs Gandhis character build-up is too random, too sudden, too direct. As a child, she sits on her grandfather Motilal Nehrus lap as he tells her the story of Indraprastha, Mahabharata and the war between Pandavas and Kauravas. She asks him what satta means. Absolute power, he says. You know what is coming. But there is still a lot of time. The film hurriedly flips over the chapters in Mrs Gandhis life, rushing past the 1971 war for Bangladesh, the Pokhran nuclear test and her meeting with then-US president Richard Nixon. Emergency seems eager to reach the point of its titular event, treating everything else as pitstops. Milind Soman barges in as Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw but his relationship with Mrs Gandhi is only glanced at. Shreyas Talpade hammed it up as former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee and it seems like his character exists only to be admired by Mrs Gandhi. Milinds moustache and dialogue delivery as Sam Manekshaw is convincing but then he breaks into a song while charting a war strategy. The war itself is all gore, no nuance. There is a needless, even gratuitous display of violence as Pakistani troops are shown barging into houses and pulling out women and children. An infant is even slammed on the wall. There are shots of heads being cut off. At the end of the day, it is a Kangana Ranaut film, she might have tried to not demonise Mrs Gandhi but Pakistan is where she draws a line. Emergency is a confused film. It wants to have the nuance and complexity of series like The Crown but it is unable to tell an engaging story. The elements dont make up a compelling whole. Before Sam does, politicians in Parliament too break into a song and the film becomes a musical for a brief time. Ridden with the guilt of declaring an Emergency in the country, Kanganas Mrs Gandhi sees a gothic version of herself in the mirroran attempt to give psychological depth to the storybut it is more like a jump scare from a Vikram Bhatt film. Her tumultuous relationship with livewire son Sanjay Gandhi (an impressive Vishak Nair) is given necessary screen time. With him, she is shown to be vulnerable but that track too is soon sidelined to make way for other events. Every historical incident in Emergency is presented plainly and even the blaring background score cant elevate scenes. It seems like the film is chopped incoherently on the edit table. Some scenes are too long, some too short and some dont have a beginning or a conclusive end. Kangana Ranaut plays Ms Gandhi with patchy prowess. She quivers her chin and it feels like a mimicry but then she gets the body language and the voice right. However, her performance alone cant pull up a slogging film. Emergency is a mere narration of events. It isnt dramatic or lively. It is just Indira Gandhis life flashing before our eyes. Director: Kangana Ranaut Cast: Kangana Ranaut, Anupam Kher, Shreyas Talpade, Milind Soman Rating : 2.5/5
Focus on important irrigation projects instead of Iconic Bridge, TG suggests to Telugu CMs
TG Venkatesh TG Venkatesh Kurnool: Former MP TG Venkatesh rubbished the speculation that thespian Chiranjeevi would join the BJP. We cannot say that the veteran would join the BJP just because he and his brother Pawan Kalyan have a good rapport with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Venkatesh hoped that an industrial revolution would occur in Kurnool to better the lives of people in the district. The senior leader, belonging to the Rayalaseema region, felt that instead of building the Iconic Bridge across River Krishna, to connect Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, the chief ministers of both the Telugu states should discuss other important projects that could improve irrigation facilities. The bridge is planned to be built connecting Somasila in Telangana to Sangameswaram in Andhra Pradesh. The CMs should focus on constructing more projects that can resolve the irrigation and drinking water facilities in the states, he suggested. Venkatesh was speaking to mediapersons in Kurnool on Friday. He said that several YSRC leaders are in a confusion over switching sides to the BJP. He hoped that Andhra Pradesh would become more strong and develop in all fronts through the TD and Jana Sena's partnership with the BJP. Venkatesh expressed concern over the increasing attacks on temple and demanded that the government should act strict on these cases, ensuring severe punishment to the guilty. Reminding that he and a few other political leaders had fought to keep the Andhra Pradesh and Telangana united, before the bifurcation, he said Telangana state was formed due to the support of a few Central ministers. The former MP wanted the Handri-Neeva project to be completed by expediting the works.
Amid speculation, ISRO confers Vikram Sarabhai Professorship on Somanath
Former ISRO Chairman is being conferred the position with immediate effect for a period of two years
The Future Of Nutraceuticals: Why OMRAE's liposomal beadlet technology is the game-changer we need
OMRAE combines the best and the oldest in the sense that it incorporates natural products together with the most modern technology.
Star Cast: Kangana Ranaut, Anupam Kher, Shreyas Talpade Director: Kangana Ranaut Emergency Movie Review Synopsis: EMERGENCY is the story of a woman that shaped Indias history. Indira Gandhi (Kangana Ranaut) becomes the third Prime Minister of India two years after the death of her father and the first Prime Minister of India, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru (Sanjay M Gurbaxani). She is considered a weak leader who would be dominated by the Cabinet. But soon, she shows her worth. She successfully gets cooperation from the Russian and French governments during the 1971 crisis with Pakistan. She also outsmarts US President Nixon (Alexander Scott Young). After Indias victory in the war, her popularity rises considerably. Soon, however, the country is plagued by strikes and hartals, denting her popularity. In 1975, she loses a decisive case in Allahabad High Court. The Court makes it clear that her victory in the election is null and void and hence, shell have to step down from the post of the Prime Minister. But motivated by her reckless son Sanjay Gandhi (Vishak Nair), she does the unthinkable she imposes an Emergency in the country. What happens next forms the rest of the film. Emergency Movie Story Review: EMERGENCY is adapted from the books 'Priyadarshini' by Jaiyanth Vasanth Sinha and 'The Emergency: A Personal History' by Coomi Kapoor. Kangana Ranaut's story draws from real-life happenings. Ritesh Shah's screenplay is gripping, with a constant stream of events keeping the film engaging. However, some scenes fall short, and the narrative occasionally adopts a documentary-like tone. Ritesh Shah's dialogues (additional dialogues by Tanvi Kesari Pasumarthy) are realistic and yet sharp. Kangana Ranaut's direction is decent. The film is made on a certain scale and she handles it well. At the same time, she ensures that the grandeur doesnt overpower the film. The highlight of her execution is the portrayal of Indira Gandhi. Shes not depicted as an antagonist but rather as a complex, human figure, presented with finesse, which greatly enhances the film. There are moments where youll admire her, moments where youll dislike her, and moments where youll feel sympathy for her. The film spans multiple decades, showcasing several key episodes from her life. But the track that truly stands out is Indiras bond with Sanjay Gandhi. Its the best part of the film, without any doubt. The other scenes that work are Indiras meeting with Nixon, Sam Manekshaws (Milind Soman) entry, the Turkman Gate and sterilization controversies by Sanjay Gandhi, Sanjays death being celebrated on the road, Indira heading to sleepy Bihar village Belchi on an elephant etc. On the flipside, as mentioned before, the film is more like a documentary or rather a docu-drama. Hence, it doesnt have much for the mainstream audience that expects wholesome entertainment. A few aspects of her life are rushed. Also, Sanjay enters the narrative all of a sudden. Even the Allahabad court case springs up suddenly in the film, catching viewers unawares. Lastly, the scenes where characters break into songs in the Parliament and even during torture in jail come across as unintentionally comical. These moments undermine the realism and leave one questioning how they were approved in the first place. Emergency | Official Trailer | Kangana Ranaut, Anupam Kher, Shreyas Talpade Emergency Movie Review Performances: Kangana Ranaut excels not only as a director but also as an actor. Her ability to fully immerse herself in the character is remarkable, making her performance so compelling that viewers completely forget its Kangana on screen or recall her previous films. Vishak Nair leaves a tremendous mark. He, too, puts his best foot forward and is sure to get noticed. Shreyas Talpade (Atal Bihari Vajpayee) is impressive and gets the mannerisms right. Anupam Kher (Jayaprakash Narayan) keeps his act restrained and it works. Milind Soman is superb and the only actor to have a clap-worthy entry in the movie. The late Satish Kaushik (Jagjivan Ram), as always, is dependable. Mahima Chaudhry (Pupul Jayakar) is memorable. Sanjay M Gurbaxani is okay and his track shouldnt have been so one-sided. Alexander Scott Young is a bit over-the-top but it works. Darshan Pandya (R K Dhawan; Indira's PA), Avijit Dutt (J Krishnamurti), Deepak Anand (Bhindranwale) and Akash Sinha (George Fernandes) are fair. Deepansha Dhingra (Maneka Gandhi), Kateryna Grabovska (Sonia Gandhi) and Adhir Bhat (Feroze Gandhi) are hardly there. Anoop Puri (Yahya Khan) hams while Rajesh Khatri (Motilal Nehru) is okay in a cameo. Emergency movie music and other technical aspects: 'Singhasan Khali Karo' is catchy but this track, along with 'Shankhnaad Kar', are badly utilized in the film. 'Ae Meri Jaan' and 'Beqarariyaan' fail to impress. Sanchit Balhara and Ankit Balhara's background score is much better. Tetsuo Nagata's cinematography is neat and in sync with the genre and period feel. Sheetal Sharma's costumes and Wasiq Khan and Rakesh Yadav's production design are detailed and realistic. David Malinowski's prosthetics are quite good. Sunil Burman Rodrigues and Nick Powell's action is disturbing, as per the requirement. White Apple Studio, Redefine and Futureworks Media Ltd's VFX is satisfactory while Rameshwar S Bhagat's editing is overall appropriate. But it's too quick in some scenes. Emergency Movie Review Conclusion: On the whole, EMERGENCY portrays the life and times of Indira Gandhi in an unbiased manner, elevated by stellar performances from Kangana Ranaut and Vishak Nair. At the box office, while the controversy surrounding the film and the Cinema Lovers Day offer may provide some support, it remains to be seen whether audiences will be drawn to a story set in a historical period nearly five decades old.
KSR Bengaluru to get two new platforms, Cantonment, Yesvantpur stations to be upgraded
On January 16, Minister of State for Railways V. Somanna inspected key railway infrastructure projects across Bengaluru
Surviving Black Hawk Down: What we know about release date and trailer
Netflixs three-part docuseries Surviving Black Hawk Down revisits the 1993 Battle of Mogadishu. Featuring firsthand accounts from both American soldiers and Somali citizens, the series explores the chaotic conflicts horror and heroism.
KTR Gets Repeated Judicial Snubbings
Hyderabad: Desperate attempts by Bharat Rashtra Samithi working president and MLA K.T. Rama Rao to scuttle the investigation into the multi-crore Formula E race scam seems to have subjected him to even judicial snubbing besides rebukes from rival political parties. The Telangana High Court had already pointed out that there was a prima facie case of wrongdoing and misappropriation of funds while dismissing his quash petition. The Supreme Court on Wednesday pointed out that Rama Rao approached the court on the very next day of filing of a case by the Anti-Corruption Bureau. When Rama Raos counsel sought to make a strong point that no corruption was involved in the case, the Supreme Court said; (asking) whether a government officer is corrupt or not is like posing a question whether fish is drinking water or not. Maintaining that Rama Rao was subjected to repeated judicial snubbing, senior advocate L. Ravichander said it only indicated that prima facie the case booked by the ACB is within the parameters of law. The unusual rush exhibited by the petitioner also suggests something is fishy, he added. The BRS, on the other hand took a stand, as reflected in the statement of party legal cell in-charge Soma Bharat Kumar, that Rama Rao, by approaching courts, is exercising his legal rights in a case filed against him. The party has also sought to put up a brave face stating that the Supreme Court did not dismiss the petition and Rama Rao only withdrew the petition. Bharat Kumar also tried his best to drive home the point that Rama Rao did not oppose investigation into the case and indeed appeared before ACB. The BRS working president, he pointed out, can again approach the court. Significantly, reacting to the observation of Rama Raos counsels that he might file a petition to discharge his client in future, the apex court pointed out that it will not prevent anyone from filing false and frivolous applications or proceedings. Ironically, party spokesperson Dr Krishnak Manne sprang a surprise by declaring that Rama Rao withdrawing the quash petition in the Supreme Court is another step to face the trial. But, his tweet came after Rama Raos counsel withdrew the petition as he was left with no option after the apex court refused to entertain his plea and would have anyway dismissed his petition. Rama Rao was also accused of exhibiting dual standards. Contrary to his brave posture that he is ready to face any investigation and even prepared to sit in jail and do yoga, he is running around the courts to get the FIR quashed, alleged government whip Adi Srinivas. Terming the refusal of courts to stall investigation a slap on Rama Raos face, another senior Congress leader Addanki Dayakar said; The High Court and the Supreme Court have denied him relief and made it clear that he must face the investigation. Where will KTR hide his face now? Legal experts also see a desperate attempt by Rama Rao to make big political gains by securing a favourable order from the judiciary and accusing the Congress of indulging in vendetta politics. But, it only shows the failure of Rama Rao in reading the SC findings in numerous cases that investigation should not be thwarted by quashing FIR at the initial stage itself as courts can not ascertain whether or not an offence was committed by the petitioner, said senior advocate Challa Damodar Reddy. With adverse orders, he is only damaging his image, he added.
HC Cant Take Up Land Title Cases Under Article 226
Hyderabad: A two-judge bench of the Telangana High Court ruled that the rights and title of the parties over the subject property cannot be adjudicated in a proceeding under Article 226 of the Constitution in the context of a land dispute involving the management of Suryalaxmi Degree College, two advocates, and the government concerning approximately 14 acres of land at Narayanpet. The bench, comprising Chief Justice Alok Aradhe and Justice J. Sreenivas Rao, was dealing with a writ plea filed by Venkat Ramulu and Nagu Rao Namaji, both advocates from Narayanpet, questioning the action of the education department authorities in not resuming the said land and handing it over to the principal of Narayanpet Junior College as illegal. According to the petitioners, the management of Suryalaxmi Degree College and others obtained a fraudulent decree from the courts and illegally occupied about 14 acres of land and made illegal construction. Prior to 1970 a Government High School was existing in Narayanpet, Mahabubnagar district and some well-wishers and elders of the area wanted a Government Junior College and made requests to the Government. The authorities asked them to form a society and donate land and money to convert the High School into a Junior College. The elders of Narayanpet formed a society by the name, of Vidya Vardhak Samithi, Government Junior College, Narayanpet and purchased 14 acres 29 guntas of land in Survey No.461 at Pallabuzurg in Narayanpet through a registered sale deed, in the name of the Government Junior College, Narayanpet from its lawful owner and possessor Raghunath Rao Antooto get sanction for the Government Junior College at Narayanpet. It is this land that is the subject matter of the present litigation. It is further stated that the management of degree college for which the then MLA Chittem Narsi Reddy is secretary, attempted to make constructions over the part of the land which belongs to Government Junior College, Narayanpet. Chaitanya Bharati Educational Society also applied for permission to run a private degree college in the name of Chittem Narsireddy alias Narsimha Reddy, as a patron of that society and it was running in a private premises. On a detailed hearing of various claims in the matter, the bench speaking through Justice Sreenivas Rao pointed out that the records show that that possession of the land was handed over from Ram Mohan Reddy, the correspondent of Surya Laxmi Degree College, Narayanpet, to principal of Sri Chittem Narsi Reddy Memorial Govt. Degree College on July 19, 2018 and the Tahsildar, Narayanpet, on September 18, 2021 has carried out the changes in the revenue records i.e., renaming the land instead of Surya Laxmi Degree College, Narayanpet to Sri Chittem Narsi Reddy Memorial Government Degree College. Justice Sreenivas Rao also pointed out the name of Sri Chittem Narsi Reddy Memorial Government Degree College, Narayanpet was recorded in the revenue records except in Dharani records, which is pending before the Chief Commissioner of Land Administration, Hyderabad. He also said that out of 14 acres 29 guntas, the government authorities have already taken possession in respect of 8 acres 13 guntas in July 2018. However, the PIL did not find favour in questions of fact in the manner which reiterated its willingness to adjudicate questions of title in the writ petition. Court stays action against mother Justice Juvvadi Sridevi of the Telangana High Court stayed criminal proceedings against a mother, who was accused of unlawfully taking away the custody of her son from the father. The judge made an interim order in a petition filed by Dr. B. Priyanka. The prosecution argued that the petitioner violated the custody order granted by the Family Court and unlawfully took away the custody of the minor child from the father. The counsel for petitioner argued that the petitioner is the biological mother of the minor child and she has acted in the interest of her child out of her maternal instincts. It was further contended that the remedy available to the de facto complainant for violation of custody order is to approach the Family Court. However, instead of approaching the Family Court, the complainant has foisted the present complaint against the petitioner with all false allegations. Y. Soma Srinath Reddy placing reliance on a judgement of the Bombay High Court argued that the effect of natural father taking away the child from custody of the mother in real sense amounts to taking a child from the lawful guardianship of the mother to the other lawful guardianship of the father. Natural father of the minor child is also a lawful guardian along with the mother, and therefore, the father of the minor cannot be said to have committed the offence under Section 361 of IPC so as to make him punishable under Section 363 of Criminal Procedure Code. Per contra, additional public prosecutor opposed the grant of stay. Justice Sridevi after hearing both sides said, It appears that the petitioner herein, who is the mother of the minor child, has taken the minor child along with her, which amounts to taking the child to another lawful guardianship of the mother. The judge further said that the judgment relied by counsel for petitioner is squarely applicable to the facts of the present case, as in the present case, the petitioner, who is the natural mother of the minor child, is also a lawful guardian, along with the father. The judge accordingly, stayed all further proceedings against the petitioner till February 13.
PM Modi to Meet Mahayuti MLAs During Mumbai Visit
MUMBAI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to visit Mumbai on Wednesday, January 15, where he will meet with MLAs from the BJP-led Mahayuti government. Speaking about the upcoming meeting, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde said, - Prime Minister Narendra Modi is visiting Mumbai on January 15 to guide the Mahayuti MLAs. The people have given us an overwhelming mandate, which increases our responsibility. In todays meeting, we discussed our partys organizational strategies, decisions, and preparations for the upcoming local body elections. The Prime Ministers continuous support over the past two and a half years has been instrumental in our governments performance, which is why we have earned such a massive majority. During his visit, PM Modi will also attend the commissioning of three major naval combatantsINS Surat, INS Nilgiri, and INS Vaghsheerat the Navy Dockyard. These additions mark a significant step in bolstering India's maritime security and defense manufacturing capabilities. Key Highlights of the Naval Projects INS Nilgiri: The first ship of the P17A Stealth Frigate Project, designed by the Indian Navys Warship Design Bureau, is a next-generation frigate equipped with advanced features for stealth, survivability, and seakeeping. INS Surat: The fourth and final destroyer of the P15B Guided Missile Destroyer Project is one of the worlds largest and most advanced destroyers. With 75 percent indigenous content, it boasts advanced weaponry, sensors, and network-centric capabilities. INS Vaghsheer: The sixth and final submarine of the P75 Scorpene Project, built in collaboration with Frances Naval Group, represents Indias growing expertise in submarine construction. ISKCON Temple Inauguration PM Modi will also inaugurate the Sri Sri Radha Madanmohanji Temple, an ISKCON project located in Kharghar, Navi Mumbai. Spanning nine acres, the project includes a temple with multiple deities, a Vedic education center, proposed museums, an auditorium, and a healing center. According to an official release, the temple aims to foster universal brotherhood, peace, and harmony through Vedic teachings. Navi Mumbai Traffic Restrictions Announced: Meanwhile, Navi Mumbai Police have issued a notification restricting traffic in several areas due to an upcoming VIP event. Only VIP vehicles, police vehicles, emergency services, and dignitaries attending the event will be permitted in the restricted zones. The affected areas include both lanes of the road stretching from Ove Gaon Police Chowki to J. Kumar Circle, the road from Gurudwara Chowk to J. Kumar Circle via BD Somani School, and the section of the road between gate number 1 and gate number 2 of the ISKCON temple.
Man behind Indias cryogenic engine takes the helm at ISRO
BENGALURU: Dr V Narayanan, Distinguished Scientist (Apex Grade), took charge as the new Chairman of Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), Secretary, Department of Space, and Chairman, Space Commission, late on Monday. ISROs social media handle shared the details of Dr Narayanan taking over from S Somanath in the early hours of Tuesday. The change at the helm of Indias premier space agency happened in Thiruvananthapuram, and the new chief is yet to take charge at the Bengaluru office. He is scheduled to visit the Bengaluru office on Wednesday, soon after which he will be heading to Delhi for a series of meetings, ISRO officials said. Narayanan is known as the rocket and spacecraft propulsion expert, who joined ISRO in 1984, and carries 40 years of work experience in the research organisation. Since January 2018, he was the director of Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre (LPSC) headquartered in Valiamala, Thiruvananthapuram, with a unit in Bengaluru. As LPSC Director, he played a crucial role in the development of liquid, semi-cryogenic and cryogenic propulsion stages for launch vehicles, chemical and electric propulsion systems for satellites, control systems for launch vehicles and transducer development for propulsion system health monitoring. Narayanan helped boost various ISRO launchers Under his leadership, LPSC delivered 226 liquid propulsion systems and control power plants for launch vehicles and satellites of ISRO. The development of cryogenic propulsion systems put India among six countries with this capability and ensured self-reliance in launch vehicles. He was also the chairman of LPSC-ISRO Propulsion Complex (IPrC) Coordination Committee, chairman of Project Management Council-Space Transportation System (PMC-STS), and the National Level Human Rated Certification Board (HRCB) of Gaganyaan programme. Holding various chairs, he guided the teams in operational and development activities of launching various ISRO vehicles. When India was denied cryogenic technology for GSLV Mk-ll vehicle, Narayanan designed the engine systems, developed necessary software tools, contributed for establishing the necessary infrastructure/test facilities, qualification and completion of Cryogenic Upper Stage (CUS) and made it operational. As project director for C25 Cryogenic Project of LVM3 vehicle, he successfully developed the C25 Cryogenic Stage powered by a 20-tonne thrust engine and played a vital role in successfully launching LVM3 vehicle in its maiden attempt, making the stage operational. His M.Tech thesis and PhD work at IIT Kharagpur were employed in the cryogenic propulsion systems development, ISRO said. Narayanan completed his M.Tech in Cryogenic Engineering and PhD in Aerospace Engineering, and bagged the silver medal for first rank in the M.Tech programme. He was honoured with the Distinguished Alumni Award in 2018 and Life Fellowship Award 2023 by IIT Kharagpur. Narayanan started his career with TI Diamond Chain Limited, Madras Rubber Factory, BHEL in Trichy and in Ranipet for one-and-a-half years before joining ISRO in 1984 beginning a journey to be promoted to the highest level as Distinguished Scientist (APEX Scale).
Greater emphasis on railway projects in NK, assures Somanna
Proposal for direct Anjanadri-Ayodhya rail link being considered: Union MoS Somanna
Proposal for direct Anjanadri-Ayodhya rail link being considered: Union MoS Somanna Koppal:Union Minister of State for Railways V. Somanna announced on Tuesday that the Union government is considering a proposal for a direct rail link between Anjanadri, considered the birthplace of Lord Hanuman, and Ayodhya. The Karnataka Government has also declared that the Anjanadri Hills [] The post Proposal for direct Anjanadri-Ayodhya rail link being considered: Union MoS Somanna appeared first on Mangalorean.com .
V Narayanan, architect of India's cryogenic engine, takes charge as Isro chief
V Narayanan has taken over as the new secretary of the Department of Space and chairman of Isro, succeeding Somanath. Known for his pivotal role in India's Chandrayaan missions and advancements in cryogenic engine technology, Narayanans leadership is expected to drive forthcoming missions, including Gaganyaan and the Venus Orbiter.
V. Narayanan assumes charge as new ISRO chief, succeeding S. Somanath
V. Narayanan appointed as ISRO Chairman, leading Indias space missions with groundbreaking contributions and innovative propulsion systems
V Narayanan Assumes Charge As New ISRO Chief, Succeeds S Somanath
The Centre had appointed V Narayanan as the new chairman of ISRO on January 8, succeeding S Somanath.
V Narayanan assumes charge as new ISRO chief, succeeding S Somanath
BENGALURU: V Narayanan has assumed charge as the chairman of ISRO, replacing S Somanath, the Space Agency said. In a statement, the ISRO said, Dr V Narayanan, Distinguished Scientist (Apex Grade), assumed the charge of Secretary, Department of Space, Chairman, Space Commission and Chairman, ISRO on the afternoon of January 13, 2025. Prior to this, Narayanan served as the Director of ISRO's Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre (LPSC), a key facility responsible for the development of propulsion systems for launch vehicles and spacecraft. He also played a pivotal role as the Chairman of the National Level Human Rated Certification Board (HRCB) for the Gaganyaan programme, India's ambitious human spaceflight mission. A veteran scientist, Narayanan joined ISRO in 1984 and has contributed significantly to India's space missions over the decades. He became the Director of LPSC in January 2018, cementing his reputation as a leader in rocket and spacecraft propulsion technologies. Narayanan hails from a humble background and is an alumnus of IIT Kharagpur, where he completed his M. Tech in Cryogenic Engineering and PhD in Aerospace Engineering. Awarded the Silver Medal for securing the first rank in his M. Tech programme, he has also received the Distinguished Alumni Award in 2018 and the Life Fellowship Award in 2023 from IIT Kharagpur. Before joining ISRO, Narayanan worked for a brief period at TI Diamond Chain Ltd., Madras Rubber Factory, and Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL) at Trichy and Ranipet. Over his 40-year tenure at ISRO, including seven years as Director of the Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre (LPSC), he has made groundbreaking contributions to India's space programme. When India was denied the cryogenic technology for GSLV Mk-ll vehicle, he designed the engine systems, developed necessary software tools, contributed for establishing the necessary infrastructure and test facilities, testing and qualification and completing the development of Cryogenic Upper Stage (CUS) and making it operational, ISRO said. The boy who dreamt of stars to chairman of India's space dreams: V Narayanan's story of perseverance As project director of the C25 cryogenic project for the LVM3 vehicle, he led the development of the C25 cryogenic stage powered by a 20-tonne thrust engine, which was crucial for the successful maiden launch of LVM3. His M.Tech thesis and PhD work were instrumental in the development of these systems, making India one of only six countries with indigenous cryogenic technology. Narayanan played a vital role in India's lunar missions. For Chandryaan-2 and 3, he led the development of the L110 Liquid Stage, the C25 Cryogenic Stage, and propulsion systems that enabled the spacecraft to reach the Moon's orbit and achieve a soft landing. For the PSLV C57/Aditya L1 mission, he oversaw the realisation of the second and fourth stages, control power plants, and the propulsion system that helped position the spacecraft in a halo orbit at L1, making India the fourth country to successfully study the Sun. Narayanan has been instrumental in the Gaganyaan programme, contributing to the human-rating of the LVM3 vehicle and the development of various systems, including cryogenic stages, life support systems, and propulsion systems for the crew and service modules. He also chaired the Gaganyaan Certification Board, overseeing the certification process for multiple systems. Under his leadership, ISRO has advanced the development of next-generation propulsion systems, including a 200-tonne thrust LOX-Kerosene semi-cryogenic rocket system, a 110-tonne thrust LOX-Methane engine, and electric and green propulsion systems for spacecraft. He has also guided the propulsion systems for upcoming missions such as the Venus Orbiter, Chandrayaan-4, and the Bharatiya Antariksha Station (BAS). He is a Fellow of the Indian National Academy of Engineering, Aeronautical Society of India, Astronautical Society of India, and other esteemed organizations.
Narayanan who led Isro's cryo engine amid tech denial regimes, takes charge as chairman
V Narayanan, who led India's advancements in cryogenic engine technology, has taken charge as ISRO's new chairman, replacing Somanath. Narayanan played essential roles in the Chandrayaan missions, Aditya-L1, and the Gaganyaan human spaceflight programme, and will oversee critical upcoming missions including the Venus Orbiter and Bharatiya Antariksha Station.
Centre reconstitutes Atomic Energy Commission
The government has re-constituted the Atomic Energy Commission. T V Somanathan and Manoj Govil are among the new members. The reconstituted commission includes National Security Adviser Ajit Doval and Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri. Ajit Kumar Mohanty, Secretary, Department of Atomic Energy, is the Chairman. The AEC formulates policies for the Department of Atomic Energy.
Villagers refuse Pongal gift to protest against merger with Tiruchy corporation
TIRUCHY: People from four villages in Anthanallur block in Tiruchy district abstained from receiving the Pongal special gift hamper of the government as part of the ongoing opposition against the proposed merger of their areas with the Tiruchy corporation. The residents have been citing impact on livelihood and agricultural and allied activities if their villages become part of the Tiruchy city. Revenue officials are reaching out to the protesters to pacify them, assuring that their grievances will be brought to the attention of the state government, officials said. Residents from nine villages had staged a road blockade in Somarasampettai on the outskirts of the city, on January 6, objecting to the merger of their villages with the Tiruchy corporation. They too expressed concerns about the consequences they would face if the merger proposal is implemented. Now, villagers from areas including Athavathur, Koyyathoppu, and Pallakadu in Anthanallur block in Tiruchy are continuing their protest by refusing to accept Pongal gift hamper being distributed to cardholders at ration shops. Meanwhile, several tenants living in the earmarked areas have been impacted by the protests, as locals are preventing them from approaching the ration shops to collect the gift hampers. A tenant from Somarasampettai, who is a cardholder at one of the ration shops in the area, could not visit the ration shop due to the protest. The villagers are urging tenants not to accept the state Pongal gift in support of their demands. With only one day left until Monday, the last day to collect the gift, I am yet to receive his hamper, he said. When contacted, T Jayaraman, Joint Registrar of Cooperatives, said only two to three cardholders from the ration shops in the villages like Athavathur, Koyyathoppu, and Pallakadu (two shops) alone, had received their Pongal gift hampers so far. As per our instructions, all the shops are open and required staff are present to complete the distribution of gift hampers to the cardholders on time. Meanwhile, officials from the revenue department are reaching out to the villagers to address their concerns and assure them that their grievances will be brought to the attention of the state government. We are hopeful that the process will be completed successfully, leaving no one out, the Joint Registrar told TNIE.
Gadkari hails Emergency movie at BJP convention
Directed, produced and written by BJP MP Kangana Ranaut, Emergency stars actors including Anupam Kher, Shreyas Talpade, Milind Soman, etc
Kangana Ranaut organises special screening of 'Emergency' for Nitin Gadkari
New Delhi: Actor and BJP MP Kangana Ranaut organised a special screening of her upcoming film Emergency for Union Minister Nitin Gadkari.Gadkari watched the political drama, which stars Ranaut in the role of former prime minister Indira Gandhi, in Nagpur on Saturday. Directed, produced and written by Ranaut, Emergency also stars Anupam Kher. The film, which was mired in controversy, will be released in theatres on January 17. In an X post, Gadkari urged people to watch the movie which portrays a significant period in India's history. Joined the special screening of the movie Emergency, featuring @KanganaTeam Ji and Shri @AnupamPKhe Ji, in Nagpur today. I wholeheartedly thank the filmmakers and actors for presenting the dark chapter of our nation's history with such authenticity and excellence, the Union minister wrote. Ranaut re-shared Gadkari's post on the microblogging site and expressed her gratitude. Thank you so much for your precious time sir, she wrote. Kher, who plays the role of Jaiprakash Narayan in Emergency, said the response to the first special screening of the film was exhilarating. I also watched the complete film for the first time. OUTSTANDING! The world, especially the younger Indian generation, should watch it for many reasons. For the technical BRILLIANCE of the crew! For the WONDERFUL performances of each and every actor (Including mine) he said. The veteran actor praised Ranaut for her performance in the movie. It is undoubtedly a masterclass in acting. Her portrayal of #Indiraji covers all the possible and impossible emotions! As a director her work is first rate! Emergency delves into the 21-months of emergency that lasted from 1975 to 1977 under the prime ministership of Indira Gandhi. It also stars Shreyas Talpade as young Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Milind Soman as Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw, Mahima Choudhary as Pupul Jayakar and the late Satish Kaushik in the role of Jagjivan Ram. It is produced by Zee Studios and Manikarnika Films. The film missed out on its September 6, 2024 release date as it was unable to obtain the clearance certificate from the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) and allegations that it misrepresents the Sikh community.
CM Revanth, Union ministers to attend event of Swami Vivekananda
Hyderabad: BJP senior leader and Mahbub College chairman P.L. Srinivas said that Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy and Union education minister Dharmendra Pradhan would participate in a special programme on February 13 to mark the 132nd anniversary of Swami Vivekanandas historic visit to the college. His lecture at the college, titled My Mission to the West, is believed to be Swami Vivekanandas first on the sub-continent. He then travelled to Parliament of Religions in Chicago, where he introduced Hinduism to the Americans called for tolerance and an end to fanaticism. Srinivas said Union minister G. Kishan Reddy, Union minister of state Bandi Sanjay Kumar, state minister Ponnam Prabhakar and monks from Sri Ramakrishna Missions across the country and abroad were expected to take part in the celebrations. The management has decided to conduct the events in a grand fashion this year to mark the 20th anniversary of the Swami Vivekananda Institute of Technology, which has been offering several job-oriented courses. To mark the National Youth Day, the birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda on January 12, the Mahbub College management is scheduled to announce new job-oriented courses for the benefit of poor and middle-class students, Srinivas informed. Mahbub College, initially known as Anglo-Vernacular School, was founded in 1862 by P. Somasundaram Mudaliar, a renowned businessman. It was also the first English medium school to be set up by an Indian. In 1884, the college was renamed Mahbub College in acknowledgment of the donations made by the sixth Nizam Mir Mahbub Ali Khan. Presently, the school provides affordable education to around 5,000 students, right from the school level to engineering and management courses.
Telangana: Aging Maoist Surrenders Before Police
Warangal: A 62-year-old Maoist, serving as the district committee secretary and in-charge of the agriculture wing for the banned CPI-Maoist party, surrendered to police in Jayashankar Bhupalpally district on Saturday. District superintendent of police Kiran Khare identified the Maoist as Macha Somaiah, also known as Surender or Satish, hailing from Pambapur village in Bhupalpally mandal. Somaiah joined the outlawed Maoist organisation in 1990, encouraged by Gali Agaiah alias Janardhan, the former Mahadevpur area committee secretary. Over the past 32 years, Somaiah operated as an underground cadre, participating in numerous violent incidents across Telangana and Chhattisgarh. Senior CPI-Maoist cadres over 60 years old, like Somaiah, have been increasingly affected by health issues and lack adequate medical care due to intensified anti-extremist operations in Chhattisgarh. Frustrated with the Maoist partys inability to provide necessary support, Somaiah was motivated by Telangana governments rehabilitation schemes aimed at helping surrendered cadres lead peaceful lives with their families. These senior cadres are suffering from health problems and are neglected due to the ongoing anti-extremist measures, Khare explained. He added that the governments initiatives offer a viable path for former militants to reintegrate into society. Encouraged by the promise of rehabilitation and the opportunity to secure his health and familys well-being, Somaiah chose to surrender. Authorities hope his decision will inspire other aging militants to abandon violence and embrace peaceful rehabilitation programmes.
Odia Sanskrit scholar pens Mahakavya on PM Modis life
Berhampur: A Sanskrit scholar in Odishas Ganjam district has authored a Mahakavya on the life and works of Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Sanskrit language. The 700-page work Narendra Arohanam, authored by Somanath Dash, associate professor in National Sanskrit University, Tirupati and published by Somnath Sanskrit University, Veraval, Gujarat was unveiled in an youth festival []
'Narendra Arohanam': Sanskrit scholar from Odisha authors 'Mahakavya' on PM Modi's life
Somanath Dash, an associate professor at the National Sanskrit University, has authored a 700-page Sanskrit Mahakavya detailing Prime Minister Narendra Modi's life. Titled 'Narendra Arohanam,' it features 1,200 verses across 12 chapters, highlighting Modis journey from a modest background to becoming India's Prime Minister.
Dr Ravi Kanth Athuluri, Senior Interventional Cardiologist, Yashoda Hospitals, Somajiguda, explains why staying fit against a demanding hydersix-day work week is challenging but not impossible
Sports Minister Mandaviya inaugurates National Youth Festival 2025
New Delhi, Jan 11: Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya inaugurated the Viksit Bharat Young Leaders Dialogue and the National Youth Festival here on Saturday. The event, held at Bharat Mandapam, brings together over 3,000 young leaders from across India for thematic discussions and creative competitions. Notable figures in attendance included Union Minister of State for Youth Affairs and Sports Raksha Khadse, Mahindra Group Chairman Anand Mahindra, ISRO Chief S. Somanath, and journalist Palki Sharma Upadhyay. In his address, Mandaviya highlighted the [] The post Sports Minister Mandaviya inaugurates National Youth Festival 2025 appeared first on Daily Excelsior .
UAE sends 700 tonnes of food aid to Somalia
The aid follows the directives of the UAEs leadership to strengthen humanitarian endeavours and alleviate the suffering of people
GVMC Urges Awareness to Ban Single-Use Plastic
VISHAKHAPATNAM: The Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation (GVMC) has called on social media influencers and residents to embrace alternative products following a ban on single-use plastic items within the city. GVMC additional commissioner R. Somannarayana emphasised the critical need for eco-friendly alternatives, stating, It is essential for social media influencers to engage in creating extensive awareness among the public and traders while embracing their social responsibility. A review meeting held at the GVMC headquarters on Friday saw the participation of social media influencers alongside GVMC chief medical officer Dr E.N.V. Naresh Kumar. During the session, Somannarayana reiterated the importance of increasing public awareness through social media platforms to support the bans implementation. He highlighted that many environmentally responsible products are readily available in the city as substitutes for single-use plastics. Contact information for traders supplying these alternatives has already been disseminated to all shopkeepers. He pointed out that certain cups marketed as paper cups contain a plastic lining, urging influencers to promote sustainable materials such as steel, glass, ceramic, paper, cloth, and linen. Somannarayana also announced the formation of a WhatsApp group that will include social media influencers. He warned that legal action would be taken against influencers who post videos or photographs of shopkeepers using plastic items within the group. This initiative aims to eliminate single-use plastic products in the city, with GVMC seeking the collaboration of social media influencers to drive a comprehensive campaign against the use of banned plastics.
S. Somanath inaugurates National Aerospace Manufacturing Seminar 2025 organised by the Society of Aerospace Manufacturing Engineers on the theme Indian Space Vision 2047 - Industry Perspective
Bangladeshis, Rohingyas in Maharashtra's Amravati now? Panel to probe birth certificate claims
The Amravati district administration has responded to allegations by BJP leader Kirit Somaiya that over 1,000 Bangladeshi Muslims and Rohingyas received fraudulent birth certificates in Malegaon and Anjangaon Surji tehsil. A probe committee has been formed, and the police will conduct an independent investigation.
D K Shivakumar to be imprisoned, then become CM: Rebel BJP leader Somashekhar, quoting astrologer Deccan Herald
Isro plan for 1-2 years ready: V Narayanan
V Narayanan is set to become the new chairman of ISRO on January 14, succeeding S Somanath. Narayanan will oversee several significant projects, including the Chandrayaan-4 lunar mission, Gaganyaan human spaceflight, and space station development. His background in cryogenics and leadership experience will aid in advancing ISRO's ambitious space programs.
ISRO's LVM3 Rocket To Launch AST SpaceMobile's Satellite For Space-Based Cellular Network
Narayanan, who will succeed Somanath on Jan. 14, during the meeting outlined a strategic roadmap for expanding the ISROs global footprint.
Tirupati deaths akin to Godavari Pushkaralu casualties in 2015
Vijayawada: The deaths of six pilgrims and injuries to over 40 more in the stampede in Tirupati on Wednesday have similarities in relation to the killing of 29 pilgrims during the Godavari Pushkaralu in Rajahmundry on July 14, 2015. The 2015 stampede took place when the gates were opened suddenly to allow the pilgrims to move in at a time in large numbers. In Tirupati, as a large number of pilgrims arrived in advance to get tickets to take darshan of Lord Venkateswara on the eve of Vaikunta Ekadasi festival from January 10 to 12. The opening of a gate for an emergency purpose led to the stampede deaths, During the Godavari Pushkaralu, a large number of devotees had turned up at the main bathing ghat on the banks of Godavari river, called Pushkar ghat, to take holy dip at the auspicious time of 6.26am on July 14. They were forced to wait outside the gates of Pushkar ghat from the early hours of the day for nearly two hours, even as the day temperature was rising. This delay or wait was because the then chief minister Chandrababu Naidu along with his family members abruptly reached there and took a holy dip along with other VIPs and moved out of the ghat to change his dress. This took time. As the VVIP stepped out of the Pushkar ghat, the East Godavari administration gave the nod to the police to allow the devotees to step into the ghat to take the holy dip in the river. When the gates were opened, thousands of pilgrims waiting for several hours rushed towards the ghat by breaking all the barricades. It took the form of a stampede in front of the two gates leading to the ghat. This caused the death of 27 persons, mainly the aged ones on the spot, and two more died while undergoing treatment in the hospitals. Though an inquiry commission led by retired high court judge, Justice Somayajulu was appointed, it made a laughing stock of itself. It concluded that the stampede took place due to the arrival of a large number of devotees at the same time to take the dip in the river. It fixed no responsibility on anyone for the stampede. The Naidu government swiftly closed the matter. With regard to ex-gratia for the Tirupati stampede, the AP government announced `25 lakh each to the families of the deceased, while the government had paid only `10 lakh each for the families of the dead in the Godavari Pushkaralu. Activists urged the state government to come up with Standard Operating Procedure, which should be followed scrupulously while allowing gatherings of a large number of people for any occasion, so as to avoid stampede deaths in the state. The police and the district administration takes maximum care only in situations when a PM or CM attends a public event.
50 people died in stampede in past one decade, but no remedial action
Kakinada: Nearly 50 persons lost their lives during the past 12 years in several stampede events on festive occasions, including the six devotees killed in the Tirupati incident, records show. More surprisingly, successive governments so far took no serious note, and there were no remedial actions or preventive steps. With the authorities adopting a casual approach when huge crowds are gathered, innocent people are losing their lives. The meetings of prime minister, chief minister etc are however well-guarded with maximum police cover. Yet, during the first day of the Godavari Pushkaralu on July 15, 2015, as many as 30 persons died. This was when chief minister Chandrababu Naidu took a holy dip in Pushkar Ghat, after leaving the VIP Ghat. In the Pushkar Ghat, thousands of people waited to take a bath. Meanwhile there was a huge stampede and fatalities. The government appointed the Justice Somayajulu Commission to probe the incident. But, the commission messed up the probe and avoided fixing the blame on any government official including the district collector and the police authorities. The commission simply said that the spiritual speakers and almanac writers misguided the devotees vis--vis the timing of the holy dip. After this report, the government closed the issue in a huff. Prior to this incident, in 2012, three persons died at Srisailam. They were in the queue line for darshan of the Lord, experienced suffocation and dehydration and died. In December 2022, during the YSRC rule, the opposition Telugu Desam launched a campaign, the ''Idemi Kharma''. Chandababu Naidu as TD chief attended the meeting at Kandukuru in Prakasam district. There was a stampede and eight persons died. The party announced ex-gratia to the families of the deceased, but no action was taken against the errant persons. On January 2, 2023, Telugu Desam held a Saree distribution programme in Gunturu. Four persons including some women experienced suffocation and fell into a drainage line and died. The Vykunta Ekadasi Maha Festival is celebrated across the two Telugu states and all Vyshnava temples are making the arrangments. In Tirupati, huge crowds of devotees are coming to Tirumala to take the holy ''Uttara Dwara Darshan''. Though the officials know there will be huge crowd formation, they took things easy. On January 8 this year, six devotees lost their lives at the ticket counters following a stampede. Retired ASP, G Visweswara Rao, said crowd management is the job of the police; and law and order should be the concern of the district magistrate or divisional magistrate. A strong plan should have been drawn by the cops to avoid such stampedes, he felt.
ISRO Chairman S Somanath Highlights Space Science As A Long-Term, Complex Pursuit
20,000 students from over 560 institutions have registered for the START programme that will be held from Jan. 9 to 29, added Somanath.
I thought Indira Gandhi was powerful, but my research found her to be weak: BJP MP Kangana Ranaut
MUMBAI: Kangana Ranaut, who plays the role Indira Gandhi in her new film Emergency, said she did extensive research and now believes the former prime minister was not powerful as she had thought but weak and unsure of herself. The first-time MP from Mandi, often in the headlines for her provocative comments, also said there is no director today who deserves her. I'm very proudly saying that today there is not a single director in the film industry that I want to work with because they don't have that kind of quality that I feel that they deserve me, Ranaut told PTI in a video interview ahead of the release of the much in the news 'Emergency'. Ranaut, who has directed and produced the film that documents the 21 months of Emergency imposed in 1975 by the then prime minister, said she has empathy for Indira Gandhi and viewed as very powerful until she started working on the project. But when I did my research, I understood it was quite the contrary. It also strengthened my belief that the weaker you are, the more control you would want. She was a very weak person and she was also very unsure of herself and really vulnerable, Kangana claimed She had many crutches around and she was constantly seeking a kind of validation. She was also hugely dependent on many people, one of them was Sanjay Gandhi... I didn't have that kind of empathy for her before 'Emergency', she added. The 'Queen' star said she took o liberties at all in the portrayal of Indira Gandhi and the Emergency months. Ranaut also said she ran into Indira Gandhi's granddaughter and fellow MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra in Parliament and brought up the issue of the film. I met Mrs Priyanka Gandhi in Parliament and she complimented me on my work and my hair. So I was like, 'You know, I made this film Emergency and maybe you should see it'. And she was like, 'Okay, maybe', Ranaut said as she recounted her brief interaction with the Congress MP from Wayanad. And I think if they have a little bit of acceptance for what has been, they will appreciate the film, she added. The film, Ranaut said, has not been made with the intention of hurting people or their sentiments so the cuts don't matter. As the film is not made with that intention, even if that was removed, it doesn't impact my story. 'Emergency' will release on January 17 after months of controversy over its censor certificate and allegations that it misrepresents the Sikh community. It missed out on its September 6, 2024 release date as it was unable to obtain the clearance certificate from the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC). Ranaut had then accused the CBFC of stalling the certification. The matter went to the Bombay High Court where production banner Zee Studios eventually agreed to comply with the changes suggested by CBFC's revising committee. She did not reveal the number of cuts the CBFC directed but said she would have liked the film to release the way she had made it. According to Ranaut, people tried hard to stop 'Emergency' from releasing. I was completely devastated. I thought maybe it will never see the light of the day. Because there was earlier a film on Mrs Gandhi called 'Kissa Kursi Ka'. I thought maybe it's jinxed or something that you can't make a film on her...And I had also put some investments into it. There were a lot of issues, obviously I was disheartened, she said. Describing 'Emergency' as an unusual and controversial film, Ranaut said audiences are used to watching traditional song-and-dance movies from Bollywood. But when you have something so unusual, people are a bit unsettled about it. 'How come she made a film like this?' This is controversial and talks about a very important chapter in history. The 38-year-old, known for films such as Gangster, the Tanu Weds Manu franchise, Fashion and Panga, said she believes in the power of authenticity. Since my film was deeply scrutinised, I had to present proof of the documentation, the source, everything. I had to face a lot of setbacks, challenges, scrutiny and all kinds of pressures. They say truth eventually trumps over everything. We presented all the proof. Different communities, (political) parties, historians, common man, anyone who has seen the film has said there is nothing objectionable in it, she said. She rebuffed the suggestion that she is difficult to work with. No, there is no such thing that I can't collaborate with anyone. But it's just that I find deep satisfaction in people who are quality people. Somebody like Shreyas (Talpade) sir or Anupam (Kher) ji... I'm a person like that and these are the kind of people I deserve, she said about her 'Emergency' co-stars. Whoever I want to work with and I deserve, they are with me, whether it is the director of photography (Tetsuo Nagata) or my action director (Nick Powell ), who is also the one who did 'Gladiator'. My prosthetic artist (David Malinowski) is the one who's done Gary Oldman's 'Darkest Hour'. Has acting taken a back seat after she became an MP last June? Not really a back seat but yes being a parliamentarian is also a very demanding job. I have been going to Parliament almost every month. There has been a little bit of a setback in terms of my shootings. I'm not able to, but I will resume, she said. Emergency stars Anupam Kher as Jayaprakash Narayan, Shreyas Talpade in the role of a young Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Milind Soman as Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw, Mahima Choudhary as Pupul Jayakar and the late Satish Kaushik in the role of Jagjivan Ram. It is produced by Manikarnika Films. Ranaut is no stranger to playing real-life characters on screen: she portrayed freedom fighter Rani of Jhansi in 'Manikarnika: The Queen of Jhansi' and the late Tamil Nadu chief minister-film star J Jayalalithaa in 'Thalaivii'.
Henley Passport Rankings 2025: India Goes Up, Pakistan Falls Behind Somalia And Bangladesh
Indias passport ranking rose from 85th in 2024 to 80th in 2025, while Pakistan dropped to 103rd. This come behind Somalia at 102nd position and Bangladesh at 99th position
Four dead, 44 injured in bus-lorry collision in Chennai-Bengaluru NH
RANIPET: Four people lost their lives, and 44 others sustained injuries on Wednesday night when a Karnataka government bus collided with a tipper lorry near SIPCOT Emerald Nagar in Ranipet district, along the Chennai-Bengaluru National Highway. According to police sources, the deceased have been identified as N. Somasekaran (30), V. Manjunath (31), C. Sankara (32), and V. Krishnappa (65), all residents of Kolar district in Karnataka. The accident occurred as three Karnataka government buses were returning from the Adhiparasakthi Temple in Melmaruvathur to Kolar district after completing darshan. Preliminary investigations revealed that one of the buses attempted to overtake a tipper lorry travelling in the opposite direction. The lorry, which was carrying vegetables from Chittoor, Andhra Pradesh, to Chennai, collided head-on with the bus, causing it to overturn. The impact was severe, claiming four lives on the spot. Emergency responders rushed to the scene, and police officials transported the injured passengers to Walajah Government Hospital. Doctors at the hospital confirmed the deaths of the four victims. Out of the 44 injured, seven passengers who were in critical condition were referred to Vellore Adukamparai Government Hospital and Christian Medical College Hospital in Ranipet for advanced treatment, according to hospital sources. On Thursday morning, Ranipet Collector Chandrakala, Superintendent of Police Vivekanand Shukla, and Tamil Nadu Minister Gandhi visited the injured patients in hospital. They instructed hospital authorities to ensure proper medical facilities and support for the victims. Further investigations into the accident are ongoing.
Last among known Maoist cadre in Kerala surrender in Karnataka
KOZHIKODE: Six hardcore CPI-Maoist activists, including Jisha from Wayanad, surrendered before Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah in Bengaluru on Wednesday. The surrender of the last known armed ultra-left cadre operating in Kerala marks a decisive turn in the third phase of the Naxalite movement in the state that began with the formation of the Western Ghats Special Zonal Committee in 2011-12. Kunnikkal Narayanan, Ajitha, Philip M Prasad and A Varghese led the first phase of the movement in the late 60s. K Venu, K N Ramachandran and others were in the forefront after the formation of the CRC-CPI (ML) that was disbanded in 1991. CPI-ML (Naxalbari) led by M N Ravunni and Kannamballi Murali was the only remnant of the militant Naxalite movement in Kerala though there were a few other peripheral groups. The third phase in Kerala began with the formation of the state unit of the CPI-Maoist in 2004. The party came into being in India after the merger of the CPI-ML (Peoples War) and the Maoist Communist Centre of India (MCCI). Their activities gained momentum in Kerala after carving out a guerrilla zone that included areas in the Western Ghats coming under Kerala, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu states. Kuppu Devaraj, a central committee member of the party, was in charge of the guerrilla zone and at one point of time there were four armed squads or dalams of Peoples Liberation Guerrilla Army (PLGA) in Kerala. More than 50 persons attended the party camp organised inside the forests in 2015. The party mounted 10 symbolic attacks in Kerala as part of the politico-military campaign (PMC) in 2014 to mark the tenth anniversary of the formation of the party. CPI-Maoist in Kerala was further strengthened when the CPI-ML (Naxalbari) merged with the party on May 1, 2014. Arrest of key leader led to reversals for Maoist party Reversals for the party began with the arrest of Roopesh, who was leading the party, in 2015 from Coimbatore. Two Maoist leaders including Kuppu Devaraj, were gunned down by the police in an encounter in Nilambur in November, 2015. Four Maoists were killed in another encounter at Manjakkandi in Palakkad in October, 2019, C P Jaleel in police firing at Vythiri the same year, and Velmurugan in another incident at Padinjarathara in Wayanad in 2020. Kavitha, a Maoist dalam member, succumbed to injuries she received in the firing in Kannur forests in December, 2023. The arrest of Maoist leaders including central committee members Murali Kannamballi and Sanjay Deepak Rao, Zonal Committee secretary B G Krishnamurthy and Rajan Chittilappilli also dealt a heavy blow to the movement in Kerala. It was the arrest of Raghavendra alias Gautam from Kannur that crippled the party most as he was the vital link between the central and the state leaderships. C P Moideen, who was leading the movement after the series of arrests, was apprehended in August, 2024, followed by other cadres Manoj and Soman. The remaining cadres had fled to Karnataka and their leader Vikram Gowda was killed in an encounter in Udupi district in November, 2024.
Kakching district police commandos arrested two cadres of the armed KCP Taibanganba from Langmeidong on Wednesday around 3 pm The arrested persons have been identified as Mayanglambam Sanathoi Singh, son of M Achou Singh of Kakching Khunou Chekshapat School Maning Leikai and Sanasam Suraj Singh 27 , son of S Somajit Singh of Wangoo Parking The two charged of indulging in extortion activities in Sugnu, Chairel and Kakching Khunou areas, have been handed over to Waikhong police station for further action Source Chronicle News Service
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadanvis has ordered an SIT investigation into allegations of fake birth certificates issued to illegal Bangladeshi immigrants in Malegaon. The SIT, led by DIG Nasik, will include officers from the district administration and police. BJP leader Kirit Somaiya alleged that around 1,000 people obtained birth certificates by misrepresenting themselves as Bangladeshi Rohingyas.
ISROs Ambitious Roadmap: Chandrayaan-4, Gaganyaan, and Indias Space Station
NEW DELHI: Indias space exploration program is set to soar to new heights as the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) prepares for an ambitious lineup of missions under its new chairman, V. Narayanan. These include the Chandrayaan-4 lunar mission, the Gaganyaan human spaceflight project, and the development of an Indian space station. A New Leader at ISRO V. Narayanan officially assumed his role as ISRO Chairman and Secretary of the Department of Space, succeeding S. Somanath. Reflecting on his appointment, Narayanan expressed gratitude for the opportunity. Narayanan revealed that the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) had informed him of his appointment, and outgoing chairman Somanath personally congratulated him. The PMO contacted me, and Somanath sir called to share the news. Its an honor to follow in his footsteps, Narayanan added. Upcoming Milestones: Chandrayaan-4 and Beyond Following the triumph of Chandrayaan-3, which achieved a historic landing on the moons south pole, ISRO is now gearing up for Chandrayaan-4. This mission aims to take lunar exploration a step further by collecting samples from the moons surface and returning them to Earth Narayanan said. ISRO also continues to advance its human spaceflight mission, Gaganyaan. Preparations are in full swing at the Sriharikota launch site for the uncrewed module test flight. The agency also plans to launch a US commercial satellite using its Mark III vehicle, alongside the NVS-02 navigation satellite with the GSLV rocket later this month. Indias Space Station: A 2028 Vision One of ISROs most groundbreaking projects is the construction of an indigenous space station. The modular space station, comprising five components, is slated to have its first module launched by 2028. The Prime Minister has approved the project. The first module is scheduled for deployment in 2028, marking a major leap in Indias space capabilities, Narayanan announced. ISROs Unwavering Momentum ISRO recently launched the Space Docking Experiment (SpaDeX) on December 30, demonstrating its technological prowess. The docking operation for this mission to be taken place on 9th January. These advancements highlight ISROs continuous momentum in cutting-edge space research and exploration. More About The S cientistV Narayanan, V Narayanan, a veteran scientist with nearly four decades of experience in rocket and spacecraft propulsion, has been named the new Chairman of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). He will also serve as Secretary of the Department of Space, succeeding the current chairman, S Somanath, on January 14, 2025. His announcement was made through an official order from the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet. According to the notification, Narayanan's term will last for two years or until further orders, whichever comes earlier. The order highlights his appointment as a significant milestone for the organization, given his expertise and contributions to India's space programs. A Distinguished Career in Propulsion Technology Narayanan, currently the Director of ISRO's Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre (LPSC) in Valiamala, Kerala, brings a wealth of experience to his new role. He joined ISRO in 1984 and has since worked in various capacities, making notable contributions to India's space exploration capabilities. During his early career, he was involved in the development of solid propulsion systems for Sounding Rockets, Augmented Satellite Launch Vehicle (ASLV), and Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) at the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC). His expertise extends to process planning, control, and the realization of advanced technologies, including ablative nozzle systems, composite motor cases, and igniter cases. Leading LPSC As the Director of the Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre, Narayanan has played a pivotal role in advancing propulsion technology for ISRO's ambitious space missions. The LPSC, headquartered in Thiruvananthapuram with a unit in Bengaluru, is a key facility responsible for developing propulsion systems for India's launch vehicles and satellites. Vision for the Future Narayanan's appointment comes at a time when ISRO is expanding its horizons with ambitious projects like Gaganyaan, Indias human spaceflight mission, and the exploration of Venus and beyond. His extensive experience and leadership are expected to further strengthen ISRO's position as a global leader in space technology. Official Statement The Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances, and Pensions issued an official order confirming V Narayanan's appointment. The directive stated, The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet has approved the appointment of Shri V. Narayanan, Director of the Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre (LPSC) in Valiamala, Kerala, as Secretary of the Department of Space and Chairman of the Space Commission. This appointment is effective from January 14, 2025, for a period of two years or until further orders, whichever is earlier. This announcement underscores the governments trust in Narayanans leadership and technical expertise to steer ISRO's ambitious projects, including advancing India's presence in global space exploration and strengthening its satellite technology capabilities. Looking Ahead As ISRO embarks on this new chapter, Narayanans leadership and the agencys ambitious projects are set to propel Indias space program to unprecedented heights. With missions like Chandrayaan-4, Gaganyaan, and the space station, ISRO is reinforcing its position as a global leader in space exploration.
Great responsibility bestowed by PM Narendra Modi: ISRO Chief V Narayanan
V Narayanan is appointed as the new ISRO chief, taking over from S Somanath. With 41 years of experience, Narayanan emphasizes key projects like SpaDex, G1 rocket, and PSLV mission, aiming to elevate ISRO's contributions towards India's development. His tenure as chairman starts on January 14.
Who is V Narayanan? The rocket scientist ready to lead ISROs next moon mission
Dr V. Narayanan, a distinguished rocket propulsion expert, will take over as ISRO Chairperson on January 14, 2025, succeeding Dr S. Somanath. With a career spanning four decades, Narayanan has played a pivotal role in developing Indias cryogenic engine technology and leading landmark missions like Chandrayaan-3. Hailing from a humble background, his vision includes advancing Indias space programme, fostering private sector collaboration, and enhancing Indias global space economy presence.
The Shadowy Financier Said To Control Islamic State Network
Abdul Qadir Mumin, the Somali leader of the Islamic State (IS) group, has in all likelihood risen to the status of strongman of the entire organisation, analysts say.
V Narayanan Appointed as New ISRO Chairman
NEW DELHI: V Narayanan, a veteran scientist with nearly four decades of experience in rocket and spacecraft propulsion, has been named the new Chairman of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). He will also serve as Secretary of the Department of Space, succeeding the current chairman, S Somanath, on January 14, 2025. The announcement was made through an official order from the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet. According to the notification, Narayanan's term will last for two years or until further orders, whichever comes earlier. The order highlights his appointment as a significant milestone for the organization, given his expertise and contributions to India's space programs. A Distinguished Career in Propulsion Technology Narayanan, currently the Director of ISRO's Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre (LPSC) in Valiamala, Kerala, brings a wealth of experience to his new role. He joined ISRO in 1984 and has since worked in various capacities, making notable contributions to India's space exploration capabilities. During his early career, he was involved in the development of solid propulsion systems for Sounding Rockets, Augmented Satellite Launch Vehicle (ASLV), and Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) at the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC). His expertise extends to process planning, control, and the realization of advanced technologies, including ablative nozzle systems, composite motor cases, and igniter cases. Leading LPSC As the Director of the Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre, Narayanan has played a pivotal role in advancing propulsion technology for ISRO's ambitious space missions. The LPSC, headquartered in Thiruvananthapuram with a unit in Bengaluru, is a key facility responsible for developing propulsion systems for India's launch vehicles and satellites. Vision for the Future Narayanan's appointment comes at a time when ISRO is expanding its horizons with ambitious projects like Gaganyaan, Indias human spaceflight mission, and the exploration of Venus and beyond. His extensive experience and leadership are expected to further strengthen ISRO's position as a global leader in space technology. Official Statement The Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances, and Pensions issued an official order confirming V Narayanan's appointment. The directive stated, The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet has approved the appointment of Shri V. Narayanan, Director of the Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre (LPSC) in Valiamala, Kerala, as Secretary of the Department of Space and Chairman of the Space Commission. This appointment is effective from January 14, 2025, for a period of two years or until further orders, whichever is earlier. This announcement underscores the governments trust in Narayanans leadership and technical expertise to steer ISRO's ambitious projects, including advancing India's presence in global space exploration and strengthening its satellite technology capabilities.
V. Narayanan, who is currently the Director of Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre (LPSC), will also be the new ISRO Chairman and he will take over from incumbent S. Somanath from January 14.
V Narayanan: IIT Alumnus And Cryogenic Engine Developer To Lead ISRO
V Narayanan will take over as the chief of ISRO on January 14, succeeding S Somanath.
V Narayanan Appointed As New Chairman Of ISRO, Set To Take Over From S Somanath On 14 January
Meet V Narayanan, rocket scientist who is set to succeed S Somanath as new ISRO chief
Having joined ISRO in 1984, Narayanan has significantly contributed to various projects. He is currently responsible for developing liquid, semi-cryogenic, and cryogenic propulsion systems for launch vehicles and overseeing control systems.
V Narayanan succeeds Somanath as Space Secretary, ISRO chief
New Delhi: Rocket scientist V Narayanan was appointed Secretary of the Department of Space on Tuesday, succeeding S Somanath, who will complete his tenure next week. The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet has approved the appointment of Shri V. Narayanan, Director, Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre, Valiamala as Secretary, Department of Space and Chairman, Space Commission Get the latest updates in Hyderabad City News , Technology , Entertainment , Sports , Politics and Top Stories on WhatsApp & Telegram by subscribing to our channels. You can also download our app for Android and iOS .
V Narayanan Succeeds Somanath As ISRO Chairman
Narayanan, a distinguished Scientist at the ISRO, has nearly four decades of experience and has held various key positions within the Indian space organisation.
Dr V Narayanan Appointed New ISRO Chief, To Takeover From Somanath On January 14
Dr Narayanan will succeed S Somanath as the new chairman of Indias space agency on January 14.
V Narayanan Appointed New ISRO Chief, Will Take Over From S Somanath
The Centre has appointed V Narayanan as the new chairman of the Indian Space Research Organisation and secretary, Department of Space. Mr Narayanan will take over from S Somanath, the current head of the organisation, on January 14.
Dr V Narayanan appointed as new ISRO chief, to assume role on January 14
Dr V Narayanan has been appointed as the next Chairman of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), according to an official announcement on Tuesday. He will take over charge from S Somanath on January 14. A Distinguished Scientist at ISRO, Dr Narayanan is presently serving as the Director of the Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre (LPSC). With nearly four decades of experience, he has contributed significantly to India's space program, particularly in the field of rocket and spacecraft propulsion. Among his notable achievements, Dr Narayanan served as the Project Director for the C25 Cryogenic Project of the GSLV Mk III. His leadership was instrumental in the successful development of the C25 Stage, a critical component of the GSLV Mk III vehicle.
V Narayanan Appointed New ISRO Chief, Will Replace S Somanath
The Centre has appointed V Narayanan as the new chairman of the Indian Space Research Organisation and secretary, Department of Space. Mr Narayanan will take over from S Somanath, the current head of the organisation, on January 14.
V Narayanan appointed as ISRO's new boss
The Appointments Committee approved V Narayanan as the new Chairman of ISRO and Secretary of the Department of Space. He will take over from S Somanath starting January 14, 2025. Narayanan will serve for two years or until further orders. He is currently the Director of the Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre.
V Narayanan appointed new Isro chairman
V Narayanan has been appointed as the new Chairman of ISRO, succeeding S Somanath. Narayanan, currently Director of the Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre, will begin his tenure on Jan 14, 2025, for a two-year period. With nearly four decades of experience, he has significantly contributed to major ISRO projects, including the CE20 Cryogenic Engine for GSLV Mk III.
Rape Charge Against Ex-BJP Nominee Gym Soma
Bengaluru: A 26-year-old woman alleged rape on her by Somashekar alias Gym Soma who unsuccessfully contested Sakleshpura Assembly seat reserved for Scheduled Castes in Hassan as a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) nominee in 2018 and registered a complaint at Ashok Nagar police station in Bengaluru city on Tuesday. The woman alleged that she came into contact with Somashekar through one of her friends and she approached Somashekar for financial help towards her wedding. The victim alleged Somashekar took her from her paying guest accommodation in Bengaluru city to his flat on Langford Road on the assurance to give her the money she had asked from him in October last year. Instead of offering her financial help, Somashekar, she alleged that he made her drunk and then raped her. The woman is said to have asked Somashekar to lend her Rs 6 lakh. Continuing, the women stated, Somashekar threatened her of dire consequences to kill her if she opened her mouth about the incident. Somashekar, the victim alleged, also warned to ruin her reputation if she spoke to others about the incident and to circulate her private photos and videos. Fearing Somashekar, the victim said to kept silent and did not bring the matter to the notice of the police though the alleged rape on her took about three months back. However, she filed a complaint with the Ashok Nagar police and police have begun an investigation. Meanwhile, Somashekar is absconding after the victim filed a police complaint of rape against him. Search is on to trace Somashekar.
Revanth orchestrating ACB case drama: KTR
HYDERABAD : BRS working president K.T. Rama Rao on Monday accused Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy of orchestrating an Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) investigation into the alleged corruption in the conduct of Formula E race in Hyderabad only to distract from the Congress government's failures, particularly betrayal of farmers under the Rythu Bharosa scheme. Rama Rao, named as accused No. 1 (A1) by the ACB in the case, who went to the ACB office in Banjara Hills in the morning following summons from the officials, refused to be questioned without the presence of his lawyers. When disallowed to go in with his lawyers, he handed over a written response to the officials and left from the ACB office complex entrance. On not being allowed to be accompanied by his lawyers, Rao alleged that the Congress government was trampling on his Constitutional rights, and recalled how BRS legislator Patnam Narender Reddy too was questioned without his lawyers on the Lagcharla incident. The police then fabricated a purported statement that included things that our MLA never said, and then this statement was released to the media, he said. Rao said that the ACB should give in writing its objections to him having his lawyer accompany him. The government can do what it wants to but I, and the BRS, will not be deterred, and will continue to expose this government's failures. Todays drama was part of the government's efforts to divert attention from its cutting of the Rythu Bharosa amount from what was promised originally, he said. Senior advocate and BRS general secretary Soma Bharat Kumar questioned ACBs stand on the presence of a lawyer during questioning. Article 21 of the Constitution says that a person being questioned has the right to be accompanied by a lawyer. There are genuine concerns that the investigating agencies will create their own documents following the Narender Reddy incident. Unless there are ulterior motives with respect to the questioning and recording of a statement, there is no reason for the ACB to reject the presence of a lawyer, Kumar said. Meanwhile, several BRS leaders, including MLA G. Jagadish Reddy, slammed the Congress government over the ACB case. The ACB officials made KTR wait on the road for 45 minutes, and finally, had to collect his written response from their office gate where they had stopped him. People watch everything closely and understand what is happening. Revanths attempt to divert the attention of the public on not keeping his promise of `15,000 Rythu Bharosa to farmers has failed. What is happening is a puppet-show run by the government and we urge farmers not to fall into the governments trap, Jagadish Reddy said.
Modi launches major railways projects in Telangana, J&K and Odisha
Srinagar: Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, on Monday, after virtually inaugurating the newly carved out Jammu Railway Division (JRD), said that this historic milestone will create steps to take Jammu and Kashmirs journey of developmental infrastructure and connectivity to higher levels. The integration of J&K into the national railway network is a monumental step towards transforming Indian Railways into a global leader in efficiency, speed, and passenger experience, he said, adding, The Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Railway Link (USBRL) project is a landmark achievement that demonstrates India's engineering excellence. The 742.1-kilometre long JRD comprises of the Pathankot-Jammu-Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla (423 km), Bhogpur-Sirwal-Pathankot (87.21 km), Batala-Pathankot (68.17 km) and Pathankot-Joginder Nagar routes (163.72 km). It is expected to create new employment opportunities in J&K and neighbouring Punjab and apart from boosting up infrastructure development promote tourism and the overall socio-economic development of the region, officials said in Jammu. Endorsing it, the Prime Minister said that the JRD would not only benefit the people of J&K but also extend its advantages to Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, and Ladakh. He termed its inauguration as a symbol of Indias collective progress under the vision of Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, filling colours in the dream of Developed India. He said the completion of the Chenab Bridge, the world's highest railway arch bridge, will play a key role in connecting J&K with the rest of the country India through rail besides providing convenience to the people of Leh-Ladakh. The Prime Minister also laid the foundation stone of Rayagada Railway Division Building of East Coast Railway and inaugurated the Charlapalli New Terminal Station in Telangana which too will promote tourism and add to socio-economic development in these states. According to an official statement, the Charlapalli New Terminal Station in the Medchal-Malkajgiri district of Telangana has been developed as a new coaching terminal along with provision of a second entry with a cost of around 413 crore. This environment friendly terminal, having good passenger amenities, will ease congestion on the existing coaching terminals in the city like Secunderabad, Hyderabad and Kacheguda, the statement said. It added that the Rayagada Railway Division Building of East Coast Railway, the foundation stone of which was laid by the Prime Minister through video conferencing will improve connectivity in Odisha, Andhra Pradesh and nearby areas and lead to overall socio-economic development of the region. The Prime Minister said, We are taking forward the development of railways in India on four parameters. First- modernization of railway infrastructure, Second- Modern facilities for railway passengers, Third- Railway connectivity in every corner of the country, Fourth- Railways for creating jobs and supporting industries. The Prime Minister said, Today is a big day for new-age connectivity. It shows that the entire nation is moving forward together. He asserted that in order to translate the dream of Vikshit Bharat, it is crucial to develop Indian Railways. He said the past decade has witnessed a transformational change in railway infrastructure modernization, enhanced connectivity, and improved facilities for passengers. The Prime Minister said, India's first cable-stayed rail bridge, the Anji Khad Bridge, and the iconic arch bridge over the Chenab Riverthe worlds highest railway bridgeare marvels that are making waves globally. He said that the government has laid more than 30,000 kilometers of new railway tracks in the last ten years, nearing 100 percent electrification, compared to just 35 percent existing in 2014 (when he took over as the Prime Minister) and that all manual crossings on broad-gauge tracks have been removed during this period. Mr. Modi while lauding Indias fast-paced progress in connectivity said that since the start of 2025, India has been accelerating its initiatives with its metro rail network expanding to over 1,000 kilometers. While referring to the recent inauguration of Namo Bharat train in Delhi-NCR along with the launch of Delhi Metro projects on Sunday, the Prime Minister asserted, Todays event is a further testimony to the fact that the entire nation is moving forward together, step by step, as projects launched in J&K, Odisha and Telangana mark a major leap in modern connectivity for these the north, east and south regions of the country. He said the work on modern rail networks like the Dedicated Freight Corridor is progressing rapidly in the country and that these special corridors will reduce pressure on the regular tracks apart from creating more opportunities for high-speed trains. He reiterated that the railways are undergoing a transformation with the promotion of Made in India. He said modern coaches are being developed for metros and railways, stations redeveloped, solar panels installed at stations and One Station, One Product stalls set up at railway stations. All these initiatives are generating millions of new employment opportunities in the railway sector. Over the last decade, millions of young people have secured permanent government jobs in the railways, he said, adding, The demand for raw materials in factories producing new train coaches leads to more job opportunities in other sectors as well. The Prime Minister said that the Charlapalli New Terminal Station in Telangana has the potential of accelerating regional development by connecting to the Outer Ring Road. This station, connected to the Outer Ring Road, will significantly boost development in the region, he said and highlighted the stations modern amenities including its platforms, lifts, escalators, solar-powered operations. The Prime Minister said, This is a step forward in creating sustainable infrastructure as this new terminal will ease the pressure on existing stations in Secunderabad, Hyderabad, and Kachiguda, making travel more convenient for the people. He said Odisha is blessed with abundant natural resources and a large coastline, and holds significant potential for international trade. He said that several railway projects worth over 70,000 crore are ongoing in the state, along with the establishment of seven Gati Shakti cargo terminals, which are boosting trade and industry. He said the Rayagada Railway Division will strengthen the states railway infrastructure promoting tourism, business, and employment in Odisha, especially South Odisha, where the number of tribal families is higher. Mr. Modi said that such projects not only enhance the ease of living but also promote the ease of doing business, aligning with Indias broader infrastructure goals. He said India is currently undergoing a massive infrastructure expansion, including expressways, waterways and metro networks. The number of airports has grown from 74 in 2014 to over 150 today. The metro services have expanded from 5 cities to 21 cities across the country. These projects are part of a larger roadmap towards a developed India, which is now a mission for every citizen of this country, he said. He added, I am sure that together we will accelerate this growth even further. Union Ministers Ashwini Vaishnaw, G. Kishan Reddy, Jitendra Singh, V. Somanna, Ravneet Singh Bittu and Bandi Sanjay Kumar, Governor of Odisha Jishnu Dev Varma, his counterpart of Telangana Hari Babu Kambhampati, J&K Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha and Omar Abdullah, A Revanth Reddy and Mohan Charan Majhi, the chief minister of J&J, Telangana and Odisha, respectively were present among other dignitaries at the event.
KTR alleges ACB plans raids on his home
Hyderabad: High drama unfolded at the Telangana Anti-Corruption Bureau office here on Monday after BRS Working President K T Rama Rao, who was summoned in connection with the ongoing investigation into Formula E race case, was denied the company of his lawyer, prompting him to submit his statement outside the office. Rama Rao reached the ACB headquarters shortly after 10 am and was barred from entering the premises by the police, who objected to the presence of his lawyer. The BRS leader, also known as KTR, spoke to the police officials while seated in his car. He handed over his written statement intended for submission to an ACB official, outside the office and returned without appearing before the officials. Asserting his fundamental right to legal representation KTR told the media that he insisted on his lawyer's presence. The BRS leader further claimed that the ACB was planning to conduct raids at his residence. Now they (officials) are saying you can't take the lawyer inside. So, I have given my statement whatever I had to give inside the office, I have given my statement to the DSP rank officer of ACB. He has given me acknowledgement, he said. Rama Rao expressed concern over being denied the company of his lawyer during the inquiry by the ACB and said the state government might manipulate his statements similar to what happened with former BRS MLA Patnam Narender Reddy. Narender Reddy was arrested in connection with an attack on government officials in Vikarabad district in November last year. Calling Revanth Reddy a hird-rate criminal, Rama Rao said he suspected that the ACB was acting under the directives of the Chief Minister. I am a law-abiding citizen. I am here, respecting the Anti-Corruption Bureau and its notice issued to me. I will also ensure that I will give all the information that they want. But (I will give) in the presence of my lawyer because they are, they were in the past, created a situation where things which were not said by our leader have reportedly been said. So I am suspecting that they are operating under the instructions of a third rated criminal called Revanth Reddy, Rama Rao said. Responding to a question about Rama Rao's comments on the CM, Congress Lok Sabha MP Chamala Kiran Kumar Reddy said the BRS Working President is making such remarks out of frustration of losing power. The BRS leader should make responsible statements, Kiran Kumar Reddy told PTI. Rama Rao has been a minister for 10 years. He should show responsibility while appearing before investigation agencies, he said, adding that the former should give prior information if he wants to appear for questioning with his lawyer. In a notice seeking his appearance before it on Monday, the ACB asked Rama Rao to furnish information and documents pertaining to the case. In the statement submitted to the ACB, Rama Rao said since the matter is reserved for order, the ACB may consider deferring the questioning till the judgement is pronounced in the case and proceed further in accordance with law subject to the orders of the High Court which heard the arguments thoroughly from both the government and his sides. Being a law-abiding citizen, I will cooperate in the matter, subject to constitutional and legal rights as provided by law (of having a lawyer during the questioning), he said. He further said the ACB in its notice has not given any details of the information and documents sought from him pertaining to the case. Rama Rao said the ACB should provide details of the documents sought, to take further action at his end after giving reasonable time. KTR's lawyer Soma Bharat Kumar told the reporters that having an advocate as an assistant is a fundamental right. Last week, the Telangana ACB served a notice to the BRS MLA to appear before it on January 6 after he was named as prime accused in the FIR. The ACB on December 19 registered a case against Rama Rao over alleged payments, some of it in foreign currency without approvals, to conduct the race in 2023 during the previous regime. The case was registered under relevant sections of the Prevention of Corruption Act and IPC dealing with criminal misappropriation, criminal misconduct, criminal breach of trust and criminal conspiracy that allegedly resulted in loss to the government exchequer to the tune of about Rs 55 crore. Though the race was supposed to be held in February 2024 as well, it was cancelled after the Congress government assumed office in December 2023. Rama Rao, who was Municipal Administration Minister during the previous BRS regime, was also summoned by the ED for questioning on January 7 over alleged irregularities in conducting the race in Hyderabad.
ISRO Postpones Historic Satellite Docking Attempt to January 9
The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has rescheduled its first-ever satellite docking experiment, originally planned for January 7, to January 9. This groundbreaking mission, part of the Space Docking Experiment (SpaDeX), is designed to showcase advanced technology critical for future projects, including Indias ambitious Bharati Antriksh space station. Why the Delay? Although no official reason has been provided for the delay, sources confirmed there are no concerns with the SpaDeX satellites. The postponement aligns with ISRO's initial timeline, which estimated the docking to take place approximately 10 days after the December 30 launch of the satellites. Following the launch, ISRO Chairman S. Somanath noted that January 7 was a tentative date, contingent on all parameters functioning perfectly. The team had also indicated a broader operational window starting January 7 to ensure optimal conditions for the mission. Preparing for the Docking Procedure The SpaDeX mission involves two satellites a chaser and a target that will perform intricate maneuvers before docking. Key preparations include achieving optimal solar orientation to generate adequate power, a critical step for ensuring the mission's success. Multiple ground stations, including ISRO's 18 dedicated stations, are monitoring and guiding the docking process. International ground stations have also been enlisted for additional support. Each stage of the procedure undergoes meticulous checks and approvals before progressing to the next step. The Docking Process The docking mechanism involves a precise and delicate operation. The chaser satellite will approach the target satellite at a constant velocity of 10 millimeters per second. Upon reaching the target, latches will deploy, and clamps will secure the satellites together. According to M. Sankaran, Director of the U.R. Rao Satellite Centre (URSC), once the satellites are connected, the chasers extended ring will retract, pulling the target closer. This action will transform the two satellites into a single integrated unit. Demonstrating Future-Ready Technology Once docked, the satellites will conduct a critical test of power-sharing capabilities. Electricity generated by one satellite will flow to the other to power a heater, verifying the success of the connection. Control of the combined unit will then be handed over to a single satellites system. This experiment serves as a cornerstone for future missions, offering insights into docking and power transfer techniques essential for space station operations. The success of SpaDeX will not only bolster Indias space capabilities but also bring the country closer to realizing its vision for the Bharati Antriksh station. Looking Ahead As ISRO moves closer to achieving this milestone, the global space community eagerly anticipates the outcome of this historic mission. Success in the SpaDeX mission would mark a significant leap forward for Indias space exploration goals, reaffirming ISROs status as a leader in innovative space technology.
Written, directed, and headlined by Kangana Ranaut herself, Emergency also features a stellar cast, including Anupam Kher, Mahima Chaudhary, Milind Soman, Shreyas Talpade, Vishak Nair, and the late Satish Kaushik in his final performance.
CPI seeks 5 lakh aid for housing
Kurnool: CPI leaders have called for an increase in financial assistance to 5 lakhs for constructing houses for the poor during a protest in the city on Sunday. City joint secretary Chandrasekhar argued that the current aid is inadequate for completing a house and stressed the necessity for the enhanced amount. He also urged the government to issue pattas to residents who have built huts on government lands and to provide basic amenities in underprivileged colonies. AISF district president Somanna and several city activists participated in the protest, highlighting the plight of the poor and demanding swift action from the authorities. KV to be set up in Dhone Kurnool: A Kendriya Vidyalaya is set to commence operations on April 1 in Dhone, Nandyal, according to an order from the Central government. Dr D. Manjunath, deputy commissioner of Kendriya Vidyalayas, informed the collector of the decision and emphasised finalising the land allocation for the school. The premises of the Government ITI College, previously identified, have been directed to be readied for use. The Union Human Resource Department has instructed officials to ensure all necessary preparations. A Central government team will soon inspect the facilities to expedite the establishment process. Swachh Srisailam Cleanliness Drive on 8 January Kurnool: A large-scale sanitation drive under the Swachh Srisailam initiative is scheduled for 8 January. The programme will target key locations, including temple streets, the Gangadharamandapam to Nandigudi stretch, Alankareshwara Temple, and significant areas such as the Darshan Q Complex, Sri Lalithambika Commercial Complex, Devasthanam Hospital, and the tourist bus stand. Executive officer M. Srinivasa Rao announced the division of the area into six zones, 11 sectors, and 66 locations, with special officers assigned to oversee sanitation efforts. The initiative aims to improve cleanliness and hygiene for residents and visitors, contributing to the upkeep of the temple town. This effort forms part of ongoing measures to maintain a clean and orderly environment in Srisailam.
India has had a strong foundation in science over the centuries, says ISRO director
ISRO Director S. Somanath spoke at a two-day symposium in Belagavi on January 3 on the theme of Ektamat Manav Darshan
Iranian Researcher Commended at BRICS Young Scientists Forum
Dr. Somayeh Sohrabi, an Iranian researcher, received special recognition for her innovative project at the 9th BRICS Young Scientists Forum held in Sochi, Russia, from November 25 to 29, 2024. Event Highlights Participation: Thirty young researchers from BRICS countries Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa and new members, including Iran, UAE, and Egypt, presented [] The post Iranian Researcher Commended at BRICS Young Scientists Forum first appeared on .
SpaDeX first of many as ISRO prepares for Chandrayaan-4
On New Years Eve, Chairman S. Somanath said, 2025 will be an exciting year as ISRO will launch four GSLV rockets, three PSLV launches as well as an SSLV launch
ISRO Sets Bold Goals for 2025 with Gaganyaan Prelude and Record-Breaking Satellite Launches
NEW DELHI: The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is gearing up for a groundbreaking year in 2025, with Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh unveiling a series of ambitious missions. These include launching a female humanoid, Vyommitra, into space as a precursor to Indias first manned mission, Gaganyaan, and deploying the Indo-US co-produced earth imaging satellite, NISAR, one of the worlds most expensive satellites. A Busy Start to 2025 The year will begin with the launch of an advanced navigation satellite, NVS-02, in January. This mission, carried out by a GSLV rocket, will mark ISROs 100th mission. Shortly after, Vyommitra, a female humanoid developed by ISRO, will be sent into space as part of an unmanned Gaganyaan mission. Dr. Singh emphasized, The Vyommitra mission will mirror the final manned Gaganyaan mission in every aspect except the absence of astronauts. Once this is successful, India will proceed with sending astronauts into space. In March, the much-anticipated NISAR satellite, developed in collaboration with NASA, will be launched. Estimated to cost 12,505 crore, this satellite will scan nearly all land and ice surfaces every 12 days, providing high-resolution data for earth observation. India's Growing Global Presence Highlighting ISROs evolving stature, Dr. Singh pointed out the agencys role in launching US and European satellites. A commercial mission is scheduled for early 2025, with the LVM3-M5 rocket carrying an American satellite designed for direct mobile communication. Dr. Singh remarked, ISROs progress is evident. From launching US satellites to generating $172 million in revenue from the US and 292 million from the EU over the past decade, India is cementing its place as a leader in the global space economy. Achievements and Vision In 2024, ISRO achieved significant milestones, completing 15 missions, including technology demonstrations and commercial projects. These included the Aditya L1 solar mission, the final development flight of the SSLV rocket, and the SpaDeX mission, which lifted off on December 30. Looking ahead, ISRO Chairman S. Somanath shared the organizations vision for 2025, with plans for four GSLV launches, three PSLV missions, and an SSLV launch. Dr. Singh acknowledged ISROs journey since its inception in 1969, noting how India has transitioned from aspiring to reach space to becoming a global leader. He concluded, With initiatives like Gaganyaan and the NISAR satellite, India is not just reaching for the stars but also helping the world better understand our planet.
Dilip Cherian | Decoding Delhis latest babu jigsaw
The recent secretary-level reshuffle in New Delhi left some scratching their heads yet again. Like an unsolvable jigsaw puzzle, the logic behind these moves remains a closely guarded secret. But, for now, lets try to decode at least a few of these postings. First up is the department of personnel and training (DoPT), which handles the government's personnel affairs. For the third time in a year, the DoPT has a new secretary, with Rachna Shah, a 1991 Kerala cadre officer stepping in after a prolonged vacancy. Notably, the baton remains with a woman officer, continuing a trend. Ms Shah replaces Radha S. Chauhan, while Manisha Saxena recently took over as establishment officer, and Kavita Singh handles crucial ACC matters in the Cabinet secretariat. Coincidence? Hardly, say sources. The system seems designed to prevent leaks and surprises. If all goes smoothly, Ms Shah may stay till her retirement in November 2027, promising some much-needed stability at the DoPT. Over at the department of revenue, the reshuffle sparked buzz with 1992 batch IAS officer Arunish Chawlas appointment. Taking over from Sanjay Malhotra, now RBI governor, Mr Chawla faces the Herculean task of managing key portfolios like CBDT, CBIC, and the Enforcement Directorate (ED). His stint in pharmaceuticals seems to have been a brief stopover, and hes now moved to the high-stakes North Block while still holding charge of the ministry of culture. Speaking of culture, its been on an upward trajectory, gaining significant prominence. How Mr Chawla balances these dual responsibilities will be worth watching. As for the ministry of culture, the suspense over who will fill Mr Chawlas shoes adds an extra layer of intrigue. With the Prime Ministers Office playing its cards close to the chest, its a game of wait-and-watch. In the end, these reshuffles are a masterclass in controlled chaos. For us, mere mortals, deciphering the method in this madness remains an engaging, if baffling, pastime. Why did promising Darbhanga cop offer her resignation? Bureaucracy often thrives on opacity, but every so often, a story comes along that is intriguing enough to make us wonder whats happening behind the scenes. The case of Kamya Misra, a promising young IPS officer from the 2019 batch, is one such mystery. Ms Misra, who recently resigned from her post as the rural superintendent of police (SP) in Darbhanga, citing personal reasons, found her resignation unceremoniously rejected by the Bihar government. Instead, shes been granted 180 days of leave starting November 2024 and is currently cooling her heels at the Bihar police headquarters, awaiting a fresh posting. Reshuffles are routine in police services, but her case feels anything but ordinary. Her husband, Avdhesh Saroj Dixit, also from the 2019 batch, is currently the SP of Gopalganj, having previously served as the City SP in Muzaffarpur. The duo, who married in 2021, is highly regarded in bureaucratic circles. So why would an officer like Ms Misra, respected and reportedly effective, tender her resignation? And why would the government so pointedly refuse to let her go? The timing adds an extra layer of intrigue. Could this be linked to Bihars political climate, with state elections potentially on the horizon? Ms Misras tenure in Darbhanga and her decision to step away could have raised eyebrows, but the governments move to sideline her while keeping her within the system only raises more questions. Is there a larger BJP-Nitish Kumar political calculus at play here? Or does this point to internal administrative dynamics that we can only guess at? Whatever the reason, one thing is clear as the political temperature in the state rises, stories like this remind us of the fine balance between governance and politics in Indias bureaucracy. For now, though, Kamya Misras 180-day hiatus leaves us wondering: Whats next in this unfolding drama? Cut the clutter: Cabinet secy pushes for fast governance Continuing from where he left off last month, Cabinet Secretary T.V. Somanathan has called out ministries for ignoring a two-year-old directive to limit decision-making to four layers. In a no-nonsense letter, he pointed out that this non-compliance is causing unnecessary delays, undermining the governments push for reforms. He is clearly a man on a mission. The directive aims to streamline processes by creating a leaner, flatter structure. Mr Somanathan wants special, additional, and joint secretaries to operate as independent bureau heads, cutting out extra layers that slow things down. His message was clear: De-layering isnt just a buzzword; its about speeding up decisions and improving efficiency. He also reminded secretaries to personally ensure these changes are implemented, stressing that responsive, transparent governance depends on it. Adding to this, the Cabinet secretary chimed in with a reminder to keep communication short and sweet. He asked secretaries to send concise monthly updates just one or two pages highlighting key issues and delays. The message? Less bureaucracy, more action.
DC Edit | India needs harmony most in New Year
As the world leaves behind a parlous 2024 there is no end in sight yet of two major wars in Ukraine and around the Gaza Strip and civil wars are raging in Somalia, Haiti, Myanmar and many other countries, besides an uprising in Bangladesh, with no sign of the issues being resolved. The eternal optimists can, however, hope that the chronological convenience of turning the Gregorian calendar to January 2025 will bring some sense to those involved that violence leads to nothing except that it only begets more violence. Making 2024 such a tumultuous year beyond the wars and conflicts was the fact that two billion people, around a quarter of the worlds population, went to polling booths to register their choice. Their disenchantment with the status quo saw many ruling parties come tumbling down as in the UK and the United States and many other countries where the desire for change dominated. Significantly, the BJP led-NDA alliance survived the global storm that felled political parties, but with reduced numbers and without a majority of its own for the BJP. That brought India back to a time of coalitions with a chastened Prime Minister having to bow to alliance dharma and make mellower his partys stance on many issues. The year post-polls, however, saw more political wrangling with harmony distinctly lacking as the Winter Session of Parliament was ruled by a stalemate between a protesting Opposition and a government that saw an opportunity in recalling the past with its own narratives on historical figures as the debate on the Constitution in its platinum jubilee year became an exception to the regular bedlam in the House. In these contentious times in which polarisation has become the leading characteristic of democracies, harmony is an elusive concept, but one that must be sought at least by the government and the Opposition if a major reform to the electoral process like the One Nation One Election must stand any chance of triggering an open debate and a broad consensus. Considering the rulers and the Opposition could not be together even at the funeral of a two-term Prime Minister of this millennium in Manmohan Singh, harmony seems a concept too far for a fractured polity in a pluralist society. Apart from the renowned economist who became an accidental PM, the country saw many a luminary of the arts like Shyam Benegal and a gem of a progressive titan of industry in Ratan Tata depart. The world of sport remained extremely competitive and there too it was individuals like the chess champions D. Gukesh and Koneru Humpy, the Olympic twin bronze medallist Manu Bhaker and the peerless fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah who shone. As far as team games went, it wasnt the best of years even if Team India did break a long ICC trophy drought by winning the T20 World Cup. The ineffectual performances in team sports may be taken to represent Indians difficulties in staying together amicably. Togetherness has goodness in it, so goes the saying, and it might mean something as the world prepares for what could be a turbulent Trump year with his promised tariff wars adding another dimension to the suffering already wrought by economic downturns and climate change catastrophes. Talking of the economy, there is much to do as the rulers could not have missed the signs of a dip in the last couple of quarters in the worlds fastest growing large economy. Even bickering Indians must see a need for growth for which consumption must rise too. All is not well is the message that 2024 conveyed. Hopefully, the New Year will be better for all.
Space Docking Experiment: SpaDeX Injected Into Right Orbit, ISRO Eyes Another Tech Feat
ISRO chief S Somanath said the rocket has placed the satellites in the right orbit of 475 km circular orbit, after over 15 minutes of flight.
ISRO: India Takes Bold Step Toward Space Station with First Docking Experiment
India has successfully launched two small satellites as part of its first-ever space docking experiment, a crucial step in the nation's quest to join the ranks of global space powers. This mission is a key move towards building India's own space station and conducting manned lunar missions in the future. The initial attempt at docking the two satellites could occur by January 7, 2024, according to S. Somanath, chairman of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), who made the announcement following Mondays successful launch. In a statement issued on December 21, ISRO explained that this mission serves as a precursor to autonomous docking technology, which is vital for future lunar missions like Chandrayaan-4. This technology plays a vital role in advancing Indias space goals, such as returning samples from the Moon and constructing the Bharatiya Antariksh Station, Indias envisioned space station. If successful, India will join an elite group of countries--the United States, Russia, and China--who have mastered space docking technology. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has set his sights on establishing India as a major space power. In 2023, India made history by landing near the lunar south pole, becoming the first country to do so. India plans to send astronauts into orbit by 2025 and is one of the few nations with probes studying the Sun. Modi's government has also opened up Indias space industry to foreign investments, fostering partnerships with space agencies worldwide. ISRO has made significant strides in recent years, including launching satellites on SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket for the first time in November 2023. Next year, a joint NASA-ISRO satellite will be launched from India to measure land and ice movement on Earth. Additionally, in December 2023, an Indian rocket successfully launched two European satellites, marking the first collaboration between ISRO and its European counterpart in two decades. Indias space journey began in the 1970s with support from the Soviet Union. Currently, Russia is assisting India with spacesuit provision and other equipment for the Gaganyaan mission, which aims to send Indian astronauts into space for the first time. Gaganyaan astronauts are also receiving training in Russia. The Space Docking Experiment (SpaDeX) was launched from the Satish Dhawan Space Center in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh, at 10:00 p.m. local time on Monday. The PSLV-C60 rocket successfully placed the two satellites into orbit, reaching an altitude of about 470 kilometers. ISRO declared the mission a success just 15 minutes after launch. A notable feature of the SpaDeX mission is that the two satellites, SDX01 (chaser) and SDX02 (target), were built entirely by the Indian private sector, with guidance from ISRO engineers. Weighing 220 kg each, the satellites were designed, assembled, and tested by Ananth Technologies Limited (ATL) at its state-of-the-art facility in Bengaluru. This marked a significant milestone in India's space program, showcasing the growing capabilities of the Indian private space industry. The SpaDeX mission demonstrates Indias growing expertise in on-orbit docking, a critical technology for future manned space missions, space exploration, and satellite servicing. Key objectives of the mission include autonomous rendezvous and docking, formation flying, and testing a remote robotic arm to control one spacecraft using the other. The docking attempt is scheduled for January 7, 2024, which, if successful, will make India the fourth country to master this complex technology.
ISRO successfully launches PSLV-C60 SpaDeX; S. Somanath updates on Chandrayaan 4s docking mission
GSLV mission planned in January would be 100th launch from Sriharikota: ISRO chief
ISRO chief S. Somanath expressed hope that many more Space Docking Experiments would be taken up by the scientists in the coming days.
Space Docking Experiment: Spacecraft Injected Into Right Orbit, ISRO Eyes Another Tech Feat
Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) chief S Somanath said the rocket has placed the satellites in the right orbit of 475 km circular orbit, after over 15 minutes of flight
India becomes the fourth nation to achieve space docking through its indigenously developed 'Bharatiya Docking System.' ISRO Chairman S. Somanath announces the launch of the NVS-02 satellite and emphasizes the significance of docking for the Chandrayaan-4 mission, with multiple space missions planned for 2025.
Rain, snow expected in North India as western disturbance hits
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecasted a fresh western disturbance in north India starting January 4, expected to bring snowfall and rain. Scattered precipitation is likely in the western Himalayan region from January 1 to 3, with widespread rainfall and snowfall predicted for January 4 and 5. IMD scientist Soma Sen Roy reported that the current western disturbance has moved away, temporarily easing cold wave conditions except in the western Himalayan region. She noted, Severe weather occurred on December 27-28, followed by cold wave and fog conditions. The lack of strong winds has prevented the dispersal of fog, resulting in low clouds across north India, creating cold day conditions. The upcoming western disturbance may raise minimum temperatures by 3-5C, with rainfall expected over Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, and Uttar Pradesh. Dense to very dense fog and cold day conditions are likely to persist over northwest India for the next 2-3 days. Cold wave conditions continue in isolated areas of Jammu and Kashmir. The IMD advises residents to stay informed about weather updates and prepare for potential disruptions due to these changing conditions.
Aaj Ka Panchang, 30 December 2024: Tithi, Vrat, Shubh Muhurat, And Ashubh Muhurat
Aaj Ka Panchang, 30 December, 2024: Somavati Amavasya, Darsha Amavasya, and Pausha Amavasya will be observed today. Also, Hanuman Jayanti will be celebrated in Tamil Nadu.
